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Open Market Shared Equity scheme

After buying

Last updated
30 Oct 2024

The Open Market Shared Equity scheme has stopped accepting applications for 2024 to 2025. 

For any questions after buying your home, you should first contact the administering agent for the OMSE scheme, Link Homes, at aftersales@linksharedequity.co.uk or on 01324 417228

If you're a shared equity homeowner and have a question after buying, you should be able to find the answer in the shared equity post-sale factsheet.

Increasing your share

Once you own a home through the OMSE scheme, you'll be able to buy a bigger share later if your financial situation changes.

If you want to increase your share, you have to increase it by at least 5% in a year.

In most cases, you'll be able to increase your share all the way up to 100%, meaning the Scottish Government no longer has a share in your home and will not be due any money if you decide to sell it.

If you want to buy a bigger share of your home, you'll have to pay all the valuation and legal costs as well as the administration costs of the organisation that will handle your request.

'Golden share'

Although you can usually increase your share right up to 100%, in some circumstances the Scottish Government will keep a share of 10% of your home.

This is called a 'golden share' and usually only happens in areas where there are fewer affordable homes.

For example, if you bought a home and your share was 70%, you can only increase your share up to 90% if the shared equity agreement you entered into with the Scottish Government has a 'golden share' clause.

You should check with your solicitor to see if your shared equity agreement has a 'golden share'.

Remortgaging

If you want to remortgage your home, you have to contact the registered social landlord or local council who handled the sale.

You should also send a copy of the Ranking Agreement you signed when you purchased your home.

If you go ahead with the remortgaging, you'll be responsible for all the costs, including the administrative costs of the social landlord or local council and Scottish Government's solicitors. You will be told at an early stage what these costs will be.

Renting out your home

Your home is expected to be your only residence.

The Scottish Government does not allow subletting as a general rule.

Selling your home

If you decide in the future that you want to sell your home, the amount of money you'll be due will depend on a number of things, including:

  • what price your home is sold for
  • how big your equity stake is
  • how much you have paid towards your mortgage

For example, if you have a 70% share of your home and you decide to sell it, you'll get 70% of the selling price and the Scottish Government will get 30%. From the 70% you are due, you'll need to repay any amount you own your mortgage lender.

The value of your house is not affected by your share. If your home was worth £100,000 when you bought it and you sell it for £120,000, if you have a 70% share you'll be due 70% of £120,000.

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