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Contact

  • Phone:
    020 8502 5758
    Opening times:
    Head Office Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm
    (Please note that flexible viewing times are available including weekends)

Key Documents

Anna & Robert

When Anna, 31, first started looking around for a property to buy, she was dismayed to find how little her money could get her on the open market in London. Anna is an account manager- trader with a telecommunications company, and she and her husband Robert, 33, a facilities manager assistant, had been renting flats for the past six years.

“We decided that buying and paying off our own mortgage would be much better than renting,” says Anna. “So we started looking for properties, but realised that unfortunately we just couldn’t afford to buy anything suitable. The prices were too high, and we’d be unable to get a big enough mortgage on our incomes.”

One of Anna’s colleagues then suggested shared ownership. Previously, shared ownership schemes were targeted only at key workers, but the New Build HomeBuy scheme is open to anyone who cannot afford to buy property on the open market.

“I decided we should try it,” says Anna, “so I registered online at the Housing Options website and started to receive information about upcoming properties.”

Anna and Robert were looking for a one or two-bedroom flat, ideally close to the City of London. Anna works in the City and it was important to have a fairly easy journey to work.

“Then we saw the information about One Housing Group’s, Kelday Heights in Shadwell, east London. We went to the show home, and decided this was the right property for us. All we had to do was put down a small deposit to reserve the flat we wanted.”

Kelday Heights, is a new development of one and two-bedroom flats with balconies, offering sweeping views across east London and the Thames. Anna and Robert liked the idea of owning a brand new property in such an up and coming area.

“I liked the location, as it’s popular with young professionals and I think it’s an area that’s rapidly changing and developing,” says Anna. “The price of the flat was £211,000, and we bought a 50% share. Our mortgage is for £100,000, and we pay rent on the other 50% of the flat.”

Anna and Robert had a chance to see the flat before it was completed, and are thrilled to have moved in to their new home. “The process with One Housing Group was smooth, and I’m happy because we could never have afforded this on the open market. At the moment it’s just the two of us, and our new flat is just right. If we have a family we might move on at some point – but for now we’re really happy in this property.”