What documents do I need to apply for shared ownership?

1. Proof of Identity and Address

As part of your shared ownership application, you'll be asked to provide official proof of identity and address. These documents are crucial for us to comply with legal requirements and to ensure a secure, transparent home-buying process.

You’ll need to submit:

• A valid UK passport or driving licence

• A recent utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill dated within the last 3 months

These documents help confirm your identity and establish your current place of residence. Without these, we will not be able to proceed with your application. If you’ve changed addresses recently or have documents in joint names, it’s a good idea to speak to the team for tailored advice. Learn more about the application process on our ‘Am I Eligible?’ page.

2. Proof of Income and Employment

To ensure that shared ownership is an affordable and suitable option for you, we will carry out a full financial assessment. This step helps determine how much of the property you can purchase and what your monthly costs will be. To complete this assessment, you’ll need to provide documents that verify your income.

These include:

• The last 3 months of payslips

• Your most recent P60 from your employer

• At least 3 months of personal bank statements showing salary deposits

If you are self-employed, the requirements differ slightly. You'll need to submit your latest SA302s and 2 years of certified accounts prepared by an accountant. These documents give us a clear view of your income stability and affordability. For a complete overview of the financial checks involved, take a look at our What Are the Steps to Buying? page.

3. Evidence of Savings or Deposit

As part of your application, you’ll need to show that you have the necessary funds available to cover the deposit, legal fees, other associated costs of buying your shared ownership home, and proof of income & employment. Having this information ready demonstrates that you are financially prepared and serious about your purchase.

Our panel advisor will collect these documents; we will only collect proof of ID and address.

These documents usually include:

• A current savings account statement showing your available balance

• A letter confirming a gifted deposit, if applicable (from a parent or close relative, for example)

Lenders may require a deposit of around 5-10% of your share value, but this can vary. Don’t forget to account for other moving costs, such as solicitor fees and removals. To help plan ahead, use our Shared Ownership Budget Calculator to estimate your monthly housing expenses and get a better understanding of affordability.

4. Mortgage in Principle (MIP)

A Mortgage in Principle is a vital part of the shared ownership process. This document, provided by your mortgage lender, outlines how much they are willing to lend you based on an initial assessment of your financial situation. It is not a guarantee, but it’s an essential step to prove that you're financially capable of buying a share in the home.

You should aim to secure this document early in your buying journey, ideally before reserving a property. It speeds up the application process and demonstrates to us that you are ready to move forward. If you’re unsure where to start, we can recommend independent mortgage advisors who specialise in shared ownership. You can find further information on how mortgages work here or within our Shared Ownership Information Hub. 

5. Application and Reservation Forms

Once you've found your perfect home and have reserved it, we will ask you to complete two key forms:

• Moat’s online shared ownership application form

• A ‘Pick Your Favourite Homes’ form, specific to the home you’re interested in. 

These forms allow us to begin a formal assessment of your eligibility and ensure the property is held for you while the necessary legal and financial steps are taken. Completing these forms accurately and promptly is essential, especially if demand is high for the shared ownership development you’re interested in. Browse our current shared ownership developments and find a home that suits your needs.