TL;DR
Equity Sharing Northern Ireland - key points
Equity Sharing is not a general shared equity product. It is part of the House Sales Scheme for eligible tenants in Northern Ireland.
Official NIHE guidance says the minimum initial share is 25%, with further shares usually bought in 5% steps. House Sales Scheme rules are also under consultation, closing 17 July 2026.
Extend Finance can help with the mortgage side: affordability, lender choice, documents and understanding how the scheme affects the application. We do not decide scheme eligibility, allocate properties or approve the scheme application.
Status: tenant-only, not open-market
Equity Sharing should be presented as a limited part-buy route within the House Sales Scheme. It is not a live-looking open-market shared equity service for all buyers.
Source check: House Sales Scheme consultation
NIHE lists a consultation on proposed House Sales Scheme amendments with a closing date of 17 July 2026. Verify the current position before live publication.
Who Equity Sharing is for
Equity Sharing may help eligible tenants who qualify for House Sales Scheme but cannot afford to buy the whole home outright. It is linked to the property the tenant already occupies.
At least one buyer usually needs to be a legal tenant, and the route is not designed for open-market buyers searching for any property.
How Equity Sharing works
Instead of buying 100% of the home, the tenant buys an initial share. NIHE guidance says the minimum share is 25%. Rent is reduced in line with the share bought.
The tenant can usually buy additional shares later in 5% steps. This is different from FairShare staircasing, which uses 10% blocks.
Mortgage, rent and responsibilities
If you need a mortgage for your share, the lender still checks affordability, credit, income and property suitability. You remain responsible for mortgage payments and housing costs.
NIHE guidance says rent is reduced by the percentage bought, but the owner may still be responsible for rates, service charges, insurance, valuation and legal fees.
Equity Sharing figures
- Minimum initial share
- 25%
- Buy more shares
- 5% steps
- Rule review
- 17 Jul 2026
The consultation date relates to House Sales Scheme amendments. Check the latest position before applying.
How to apply
- Check whether you are eligible under House Sales Scheme rules.
- Ask NIHE or the relevant landlord/provider whether Equity Sharing is available for your case.
- Check whether the minimum 25% share is affordable.
- Review mortgage options, documents and deposit with an adviser if borrowing is needed.
- Complete the scheme/provider process separately from the mortgage application.
- Use a solicitor for legal documents, lease/rent obligations and completion.
What to watch out for
- this is not an open-market buyer scheme;
- House Sales Scheme rules may change after consultation;
- rent may reduce, but other ownership costs remain;
- a lender can still decline the mortgage;
- legal advice is important because the ownership and rent structure affects future sale and responsibilities.
How Equity Sharing differs from other NI schemes
- Co-Ownership: NI-wide shared ownership for eligible buyers, usually 50% to 90% buyer share, with a current property cap of £215,000.
- FairShare: shared ownership for approved new-build properties through participating housing associations, with rent on the unsold share.
- Equity Sharing: tenant-only part-buy route within the House Sales Scheme, not an open-market buyer scheme.
- House Sales Scheme: for eligible Housing Executive or qualifying tenants buying all or part of their social home.
- Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee: the old NI-linked page is closed to new loans and is now relevant mainly for existing borrowers.
How a mortgage adviser can help
Extend Finance can help with the mortgage side: affordability, lender choice, documents and understanding how the scheme affects the application. We do not decide scheme eligibility, allocate properties or approve the scheme application.
An adviser can help assess whether a lender is likely to support the share purchase, compare affordability with full purchase, and explain how tenant purchase routes differ from Co-Ownership or FairShare.
Alternatives to compare
Compare the parent House Sales Scheme, Co-Ownership for broader shared ownership, and FairShare for approved new-build shared ownership.
Check the mortgage side of Equity Sharing
If you are an eligible tenant considering part-buy, Extend Finance can help you understand the mortgage side while NIHE or the provider handles scheme eligibility.
Official sources
Check the latest official guidance: NIHE Equity Sharing, nidirect Equity Sharing and NIHE consultations.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Equity Sharing open to all buyers in Northern Ireland?
No. Equity Sharing is a tenant-only route within the House Sales Scheme. It is not a general open-market scheme for any buyer.
What is the minimum share?
NIHE guidance says the minimum initial share under Equity Sharing is 25%.
Can I buy more shares later?
Yes. Official guidance says more shares can usually be bought in 5% steps.
Does Equity Sharing reduce rent?
Yes. NIHE guidance says rent is reduced by the share bought, but the buyer may still have other ownership costs such as rates, service charges, insurance and fees.
Is this the same as Co-Ownership?
No. Co-Ownership is a broader shared ownership route for eligible buyers. Equity Sharing is linked to House Sales Scheme tenant purchase.
Can a broker approve Equity Sharing?
No. A broker can help with the mortgage side, but NIHE or the relevant provider decides scheme eligibility and legal route.
Why is there a consultation warning?
NIHE lists a consultation on proposed House Sales Scheme amendments with a closing date of 17 July 2026, so current rules should be verified before live publication or applying.