Shared ownership leases do not allow subletting. You must live in your home as your main residence.
This is because shared ownership is a government-funded scheme designed to help people buy their own home.
If you sublet without our permission, we will take legal enforcement action, which may result in you losing your home.
When we may allow subletting
In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to give permission for you to sublet your home for a limited time.
We follow the guidance set out in the Capital Funding Guide on GOV.UK.
If we believe you have an exceptional reason to sublet, you must meet the following conditions:
- We will approve subletting for an initial 6 months. You must apply to extend this, and we may approve further 6-month extensions up to a maximum of 2 years. After this, you must either return to live in the property or sell it.
- You must use a 6-month fixed-term assured shorthold tenancy.
- The rent must not be more than the cost of your monthly mortgage, rent and service charge payments. We will allow up to 15% on top of this to cover letting agent fees.
- You may not sublet your home for commercial use, such as holiday lets or Airbnb.
- The tenancy agreement must reflect the terms of your lease, including rules on causing a nuisance, parking, rubbish disposal and pets. You will be responsible for any breaches by your sub-tenants.
- You must use a reputable letting agent to vet your tenants, carry out the Right to Rent checks as required under the Immigration Act 2014, and manage the tenancy. They should deal with any issues, including ending the tenancy when your permission to sublet expires. This helps reduce the risk of problems for you, us or your neighbours.
- You must get written consent from your mortgage lender and provide us with a copy. Please note, your lender may charge a fee or apply a different interest rate if you sublet.
- You must provide your contact address and telephone number so we can contact you about any problems with the property or your tenants. If you live abroad, you must provide a correspondence address in England or Wales.
- You will remain responsible for all repairs to your property and all charges payable to us.
- You must not have any breaches of your lease, such as rent and service charge arrears.
- You must pay a fee for us to give permission to sublet.
- Your property must have a licence, as all private rented homes in Oxford require one. See our Selective Licensing pages.
If you are a serving member of the Armed Forces and are required to live away from the area, we will support your sublet request subject to these conditions.
Exemption from the 12-month re-letting restriction
Under the Rent Reform Act, if you end a tenancy so you can move back into your home (Ground 1) or sell it (Ground 1A), you normally cannot rent the property out again for 12 months.
If you are a shared owner using Ground 1A to sell your home, you may be exempt from this 12-month restriction.
This exemption recognises that selling a shared ownership property can take longer and may involve steps outside your control, such as a nominations process.
When the exemption applies
You can only use this exemption if all of the following apply:
- You tell prospective tenants before they move in that you are a shared owner and the 12-month re-letting restriction may not apply.
- You tell your housing provider in writing that you intend to sell before the date specified in your Section 8 notice (the date you have asked your tenants to leave).
- Before using the exemption, you must either get a RICS valuation showing you intend to sell, or actively market your property (for example, through an estate agent).
- You must not have staircased to 100% ownership.
How to request permission to sublet
Use our online form to apply for permission to sublet your home.
Make sure you read the conditions for subletting before you apply.
You will need:
- your name and contact details
- the property address
- your reasons for subletting
Request permission to sublet your shared ownership home
We will contact you once we have made a decision about your request.
