Service charges remain top issue for shared owners, LEASE report finds
Service charges were the most common issue raised by shared owners in 2025-26, according to a report from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).
The report found service charges generated 252 enquiries, accounting for almost a third (31.9%) of all contacts from shared owners.
Shared ownership-specific issues were the second most common reason for enquiries, at 145 cases, followed by management-related issues (116) and repairs (115).
In total, the LEASE received 791 enquiries from shared owners during 2025-26. Nearly two-thirds (63%) related to purpose-built flats, while 45.3% came from London and 18.2% from the South East.
The report highlighted a range of issues affecting shared owners, including service charges, repairs, building safety and leasehold-related matters.
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Declined mortgage applications
It also found that some owners faced difficulties selling their homes due to mortgageability issues.
According to the report, sales can stall or collapse where leases are short, EWS1 forms are unavailable or not accepted by lenders, and cladding and fire safety concerns remain unresolved.
In some cases, lenders declined mortgage applications because leases had fallen below common thresholds of 80 or 85 years, while others would not lend until remediation liabilities or fire-risk issues had been addressed.
The report said these challenges can be more acute for shared owners who have not staircased to full ownership, as they are unable to use the statutory lease extension process.
Instead, shared owners relied on landlords for lease extensions and decisions relating to EWS1 certification and remediation work.
Dr Kion Ahadi, chief executive of the LEASE, said: “Shared ownership can provide an important route into home ownership for people who might otherwise be unable to buy. But it is also a complex form of home ownership, and when something goes wrong, people need to be able to understand their options and get the help they need.
“This report shows why clear information matters throughout the shared ownership journey. People need to understand what they are buying from the outset, know their rights and responsibilities, and be able to get clear explanations and timely responses from their landlord or managing agent when questions or problems arise.”
