---
title: Property criteria
date: 2026-01-29T16:00:00+00:00
author: Sarah Hannity
canonical_url: "https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/application-process-explained/property-criteria"
section: Getting started
---
![Property criteria 2980x1000px](https://co-ownership.s3-assets.com/2980x1000px/_2980x1000_crop_center-center_none/Property-criteria-2980x1000px.png) # Property criteria

Before you put an offer on, or upload, a property, check that it meets our criteria.

 

 

 

        

    Area Criteria    Property price Maximum property value of £215,000   Location We buy existing and new build homes anywhere in Northern Ireland.   Warranties New builds must have a suitable 10-year structural warranty.   
Existing properties under 10 years old must have the balance of their original structural warranty.   Incentives You must declare any incentives you are offered by the seller or developer. We may not agree to them.   Energy performance The home must have an Energy Performance Certificate.  
We recommend choosing a home with a good EPC rating, as this can mean it's more cost effective to heat and maintain.   Service charges The service charge should be reasonable for the services provided, and affordable.   
We would expect that a service charge for a house would be usually no more than £200 per year, and for an apartment no more than £1,000 per year.  
If the service charge is going to be higher than this, please contact us to discuss.   New builds - Basic turnkey packages are acceptable.  
- Properties with Price Cost (PC) sums are generally not acceptable.  
- We generally do not pay for extras in new builds, or for furnishings or moveable fittings.  
- The price must include all utility connection fees.  
- All roads and sewers serving the home must be bonded or adopted.   Unsuitable properties We do not accept properties:  
- that require more than £6,000 of work to resolve before purchase, or more than £6,000 of work to resolve after purchase.  
- that are architect certified.  
- with no central heating.  
- with non-standard or unconventional construction.  
- that are mobile homes or temporary structures.  
- that are defined as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).  
- with an annex.  
- with Japanese Knotweed.  
- sold incomplete or "as is".  
- that are underpinned or stated to be defective.  
- with agricultural use restrictions.  
- used for purposes other than as a residence.  
- with a private water supply.  
- with leased renewable energy systems - if the system is owned by the seller, this is acceptable.  
- that do not front onto an adopted road.   

 

   

  - [ What type of property can I buy? 
    
     ](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/finding-a-property/what-type-of-property-can-i-buy)
- [ Getting a mortgage 
    
     ](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/getting-a-mortgage)
- [ Finding a property 
    
     ](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/finding-a-property)
- [ Property assessment explained 
    
     ](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/finding-a-property/property-assessment-explained)
- [ Apply now 
    
     ](https://co-ownership.org/apply-now)