Application process explained

Applying to Co-Ownership is the first step towards owning your home. The process is designed to be straightforward, and you can complete your application online at a time that suits you. 

You don't need to have found a property yet, this stage is about confirming you're eligible and working out what share you can afford. You can apply yourself, or a mortgage adviser can submit your application for you. 

Below we'll walk you through the application in detail, so you know exactly what to expect.

Preparing to apply

Before you start your application, take time to make sure you're ready. This helps avoid delays and gives your application the best chance of success.

• Check your credit report with Experian. We use Experian to review your credit history, so it's important to know what's on your report before you apply. You can create a free account with Experian to check for any errors, missed payments, or other issues that might affect your application. If we discover problems after you've applied and paid your application fee, we may not be able to proceed.
• Gather your documents. You'll need proof of identity (passport or driving licence), proof of address (utility bill or bank statement from the last three months), and evidence of your income. For employed applicants, this means your last three months of payslips and three months of bank statements. If you're self-employed or a company director, you'll need your last two years of tax calculation summaries (SA302s) and tax year overviews from HMRC.
• Check you meet the eligibility criteria. Make sure you don't currently own any property (if you’re applying for Co-Own for Over 55s, make sure it’s in the process of being sold) or land, have no outstanding adverse credit like county court judgements or defaults, and understand that the property will be your only residence. If you're married, in a civil partnership, or planning to live with a partner, you'll need to apply together. For Co-Own applications, you also need to make sure you haven't had any payday loans or home credit in the last 12 months.
• Use the affordability calculator to get an idea of what you might be able to borrow. This helps you understand what share you could afford and what your monthly costs might look like.

If you're unsure about anything, contact our team before you start your application. We're happy to answer questions and help you decide if now is the right time to apply.

Starting your application

When you're ready, you can begin your application through your online account. The application takes around 30 minutes to complete, though you can save your progress and return to it later if needed. 

You can apply on your own, or your mortgage adviser can submit the application on your behalf if you're working with one for Co-Own. You can also book a face-to-face appointment with one of our team in our Belfast office, and they’ll complete the application on your behalf.

The application is restricted to a maximum of two applicants, and asks for details about your income, your regular outgoings like bills and loan repayments, your employment status, and your personal circumstances. Be as accurate as possible, as we'll be checking this information against your supporting documents.

When you submit your application, you'll pay a non-refundable Application Fee of £100. This covers the cost of processing your application and reviewing your financial circumstances. You can pay by debit or credit card through our secure payment system.

Uploading your documents

After you submit your application and pay the fee, you'll need to upload your supporting documents. The sooner you provide everything we need, the quicker we can review your application, so we recommend reviewing our document checklist in advance.

For proof of identity, we accept a valid passport or UK driving licence. For proof of address, we need a recent utility bill, bank statement, or council rates bill dated within the last three months. The address on this document must match the address on your application.

For proof of income, employed applicants should provide their last three months of payslips and three months of recent bank statements showing salary payments. If you're self-employed or a company director, you'll need to provide your last two years of tax calculation summaries (SA302s) and tax year overviews, which you can download from your HMRC online account.

If you're using savings, inheritance, or equity from a property sale to fund your share (this last part is relevant for Co-Own for Over 55s applicants only), you'll need to provide evidence of these funds, such as bank statements or solicitor letters.

All documents must be clear and legible. If we can't read something or information is missing, we'll contact you to request new copies, which can delay your application.