A local connection for Shared Ownership is a recognised link with the area where the home is located. You might have a local connection because you live or work nearby, have close family in the area or meet another condition set for that home.
In short: Not every Shared Ownership home in England requires a local connection. If one applies, you may be asked to show that you meet the criteria for the individual property.
Local-connection requirements can differ between developments and individual homes. Check the property listing and ask the sales team for the full criteria before you apply.
When might you need a local connection?
A local connection may be required when a Shared Ownership home has property-specific eligibility or priority conditions.
These requirements are particularly associated with some rural homes and smaller communities, but they can apply elsewhere.
A requirement may be linked to planning conditions or other arrangements applying to the development. It could define:
- the geographical area that qualifies
- the types of connection that are accepted
- how long the connection must have existed
- how eligible applications will be considered
The criteria for one property cannot confirm whether you qualify for another, even if both homes are in the same area.
What can count as a local connection?
There is no single definition used for every Shared Ownership home. Your connection must meet the criteria set for the property you want to buy.
The examples below appear in some local policies, but they do not form a standard national list. The criteria for the individual home will determine what counts.
Living in the area
Living within a defined parish, district or local authority area might count. You may need to show that you have lived there for a specified period.
Previous residence in the area may be accepted for some homes, depending on the criteria.
Working in the area
Employment or self-employment within the qualifying area might count. The criteria may include conditions relating to where you work, how long you have worked there or the number of hours you work.
Having close family in the area
Some homes recognise a connection through a close family member who lives locally. The criteria will define which relationships are accepted and whether the family member must have lived in the area for a specified period.
Having another recognised local tie
Other connections may be considered. For example, some criteria might recognise someone who provides regular care to a person living in the area.
Ask for the written criteria rather than relying on examples from another development or local authority.
How will your local connection be assessed?
If the home has a local-connection requirement, the organisation responsible for assessing applications will consider your connection against the criteria for that home.
Depending on the development, the assessment may be carried out by the housing provider, local authority or another appointed organisation.
Before applying, ask the sales team:
- which geographical area qualifies
- which types of connection are accepted
- how long the connection must have existed
- who will carry out the assessment
- which evidence may be required
- how eligible applications will be considered
Meeting one of the examples in this guide does not confirm that your local connection will be accepted.
Shared Ownership eligibility still applies
Meeting a local-connection requirement does not automatically mean that you qualify to buy the home.
You must also meet the Shared Ownership eligibility and affordability requirements that apply to the property. These may include income limits and qualifying circumstances, such as being a first-time buyer or being unable to afford a suitable home.
Shared Ownership requirements can change, so check the current Shared Ownership eligibility guidance before applying.
The housing provider will normally carry out an affordability assessment before confirming whether you can proceed. This may take account of your mortgage, rent, service charge and other relevant housing costs.
Review the information provided for the property carefully. Consider whether you can afford the initial costs and ongoing payments before making a commitment.
Local priority and application order
Some developments consider applications from people connected to one defined area before considering applicants from a wider area. Depending on the scheme, this may be described as local-connection priority or a local-connection cascade.
Not every development uses this type of process. Where one applies, the qualifying areas, priority order and any relevant time periods will be set for the individual property.
Meeting the local-connection criteria does not guarantee that you will be able to reserve or buy the home. Ask the sales team how eligible applications will be considered.
Evidence you might be asked to provide
The evidence required will depend on the property and the type of local connection being assessed.
Avoid sending personal documents until the organisation assessing your application has confirmed what it needs and how the information should be provided.
To support a connection based on where you live, you might be asked for:
- council tax bills
- utility bills
- tenancy agreements
- electoral register records
- official correspondence showing your address
To support a connection based on where you work, you might be asked for:
- recent payslips
- an employment contract
- a letter from your employer
- evidence of self-employment in the area
To support a family connection, you might be asked for:
- evidence of your relationship to the family member
- documents confirming their address
- evidence showing how long they have lived in the area
If you are relying on another local tie, ask the organisation assessing your application what evidence it needs.
These documents are examples and might not be accepted for every property. Check whether the evidence must be recent, cover a specified period or be supplied in a particular format.
Restrictions affecting some rural homes
Some Shared Ownership homes on rural exception sites or in Designated Protected Areas may have restrictions affecting staircasing or what happens when the property is sold.
These restrictions are separate from the assessment of your local connection, although both may apply to the same home.
The restrictions depend on the property and its lease. Check the key information documents and ask your solicitor or licensed conveyancer to explain the terms before you exchange contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if I do not have a local connection?
Ask the sales team whether applications are being considered from people outside the initial qualifying group.
For some homes, the qualifying area may be widened if the property is not allocated during an earlier stage. This depends on the requirements for the home and is not guaranteed.
I am serving, or have previously served, in the Armed Forces. How might this affect my application?
National Shared Ownership guidance includes priority arrangements for serving members of the Armed Forces in certain circumstances. Some former members may also receive priority, depending on their previous role.
Tell the sales team about your current or previous service. They can confirm how the national priority arrangements and any property-specific requirements apply to the home.
What if my circumstances change after I apply?
Tell the sales team if you move home, change your place of work or experience another change that could affect your local connection. You may be asked for updated information before your application can continue.
Before you apply
- Check the property listing for a local-connection requirement.
- Ask for the criteria and qualifying area for the individual home.
- Confirm who will assess your local connection.
- Ask which evidence may be required and how it should be provided.
- Read the key information documents and obtain independent legal and financial advice before committing to a purchase.
Ready to begin your search? Find a Shared Ownership home and check the eligibility information on each property listing.
Please note: This article provides general information about local connections for Shared Ownership in England. Requirements differ between homes and developments. Check the criteria, key information documents and lease for the property you are considering, and obtain independent legal and financial advice before committing to a purchase.
