Shared ownership programmes position themselves as a solution for buyers unable to secure full mortgages. Purchasers typically own a percentage stake while a housing provider retains the remainder, reducing upfront capital requirements. However, the model carries structural costs often buried in documentation: mortgage calculations apply only to the buyer's share, yet service charges and ground rent apply to the entire property value. Staircase provisions—options to purchase additional equity—frequently include inflation-linked pricing, which can price out buyers within years. Professionals advising clients on this route should demand transparent fee schedules and stress-test long-term affordability against rising service charges, not just headline purchase prices.