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Staircasing: what is a valuation and who pays for it?

When you staircase, the price of the extra shares is usually based on a current valuation. In most cases you pay for that valuation as part of the staircasing process.

Published: 28/04/2026 • Last verified: 28/04/2026

The short answer

When you staircase (buy more shares in a shared ownership home), the additional shares are usually priced using a current valuation of the property, rather than what you paid originally.

GOV.UK guidance explains the steps and makes clear you normally need a valuation as part of the process — and that the buyer typically pays the costs involved.

A tiny example

Example (illustrative):

  • Your home was valued at £250,000 when you bought your first share.
  • You staircase later and the valuation says it’s now worth £280,000.
  • If you buy an extra 10% share, the share price is typically based on 10% of £280,000, not 10% of the original value.

That’s why the valuation matters: it sets the price point for the extra shares.

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