Shared Ownership Code bolstered by new Code Operator NHQB
As the Shared Ownership Council reaches its intended conclusion, NHQB’s experience, infrastructure, and proven governance will strengthen the Code, ensuring it delivers better outcomes for shared owners and the sector
The Shared Ownership Council selects New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) as the Code Operator for the Shared Ownership Code, with full responsibility transferring on 7 October 2025.
NHQB provides experience, infrastructure, and governance to ensure effective implementation of the Code and better outcomes for current and future shared owners.
NHQB will establish a subsidiary with its own Board, supported initially by Shared Ownership Council Chair and its expert, recruit sector expertise, and create advisory panels for Code governance.
The Shared Ownership Council will formally conclude on 16 October 2025, having achieved its purpose of developing the Code and securing its long-term future.
Providers can register interest now to adopt the Code, with formal applications opening from 3 November 2025, and attestations possible from January 2026.
The Shared Ownership Council has selected the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) to be the Code Operator for the Shared Ownership Code. From 7 October 2025, NHQB – the non-profit organisation which sets the standard for the quality of new homes and the customer service provided by developers in the UK – will take full responsibility for the Code, including its operations, governance and financial stability.
The Shared Ownership Council was established as a time-limited initiative to provide an independent focus on improving the shared owner experience. It was formed with the core aim of developing a Shared Ownership Code for housing providers, and having achieved its purpose and ensured the Code has a sustainable long-term home, the Council will formally conclude as intended on 16 October 2025.
The decision to select NHQB as the Code Operator was made in recognition of the strong alignment in values and aims, and confidence in NHQB's ability to ensure the Code delivers on its purpose of standardising best practice and consumer protection for shared owners. Both organisations have worked closely in partnership over the period since NHQB was selected, working collaboratively to ensure a seamless transition. While similar operations used for NHQB’s New Homes Quality Code will be applied to the Shared Ownership Code, both Codes will remain separate, with different criteria, registrations and fees.
The Shared Ownership Code was published in June 2025, following months of extensive consultation with industry and consumers. Since then, 54 organisations have already registered interest in adopting – a number expected to grow when formal applications open on 3 November 2025.
To operate the Code, NHQB has established a new subsidiary organisation which will have its own Board with a range of experienced non-executive directors. Ann Santry, who has chaired the Shared Ownership Council, will temporarily serve as Chair and sit on the subsidiary Board for three months. Bernie Conroy, the industry consultant who co-led the Code’s pilot and engaged with providers, will also support for three months. New employees with sector experience are currently being recruited by NHQB to bolster its team with additional skills to operate the Code. These measures will all provide stability and consistency, ensuring NHQB is fully equipped to operate the Code.
NHQB will also create a range of advisory panels for future review of the Code – the panels will gather input from different stakeholder groups, including public sector representatives, consumers, housing providers, and the wider housing sector.
Ann Santry, Chair of the Shared Ownership Council, said: “We’re confident that the Code will be in safe and capable hands with NHQB. Our shared values, combined with their experience, infrastructure, and governance, will ensure effective implementation and better outcomes for current and future shared owners.
“I am incredibly grateful to our funders, pilot providers, the Social Finance delivery team, and the wider ecosystem for supporting the development of the Code. This support has enabled us to achieve what we were set up to do, and we believe the transfer to NHQB will further improve the customer journey for shared owners. I look forward to working with NHQB over the next few months to support the transition and to encourage more providers to adopt the Code.”
Emma Toms, Chief Executive of NHQB, said: “NHQB brings a proven track record and deep expertise from running the New Homes Quality Code, which already covers over 56% of all new build homes in Britain. We look forward to applying this experience to the Shared Ownership Code, ensuring shared homeowners benefit from high standards of protection and quality. We are confident that through this support, the sector can responsibly expand access to home ownership in the UK while upholding high standards of quality, customer protection, and satisfaction.”
Will Perry, Director of Strategy at the Regulator of Social Housing, said “We welcome stakeholders taking the initiative to drive up standards for shared owners and increase understanding of shared ownership.”
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “We’re pleased to see the Shared Ownership Code continuing to progress with an operator that will take the reins and ensure that it is implemented with rigour, to achieve the best outcomes for residents. Housing associations are driven by their social purpose and are committed to delivering affordable, secure homes for people in housing need across the country including shared ownership which helps thousands of people get onto the housing ladder, who may otherwise be stuck in expensive and insecure private rented homes. However, we know that some shared owners have faced challenges with aspects of the model. That is why we fully support the Shared Ownership Code, an initiative which codifies best practice, and we encourage all housing associations to sign up to, ensuring consistency and transparency for residents.”
Gavin Smart, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “We are delighted to hear that the New Homes Quality Board has been selected as the operator for the Shared Ownership Code, giving the Code a permanent home and a long-term future. The development of the Code and its role in standardising best practice and consumer protection for shared owners was an important development both for shared owners and shared ownership providers. The Shared Ownership Council is to be congratulated for overseeing the development of the code and its transfer to a permanent operator.”
Andy Dean, Head of Housing Development & Sustainability at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Lloyds Banking Group has supported the Shared Ownership Council from the outset, and the transition of the Code to NHQB marks an important milestone. Entrusting it to an organisation with NHQB’s credibility and track record is a significant step forward—laying the groundwork for greater consistency, transparency and trust in shared ownership, with a continued focus on the experience and needs of customers.”
Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of The HomeOwners Alliance, and Board member of the Shared Ownership Council, said: “As CEO of the HomeOwners Alliance and a board member of the Shared Ownership Council, I’ve been determined to help shape a proactive solution that improves the experience of both current and future shared owners. The Shared Ownership Code is a vital step forward in raising standards, building trust and giving consumers greater clarity and protection.
“NHQB is well placed to take this forward with their infrastructure, governance and established relationships with developers. But success depends on providers stepping up. I strongly encourage housing providers across the sector to adopt the Code and demonstrate their commitment to transparency, fairness and better outcomes for shared owners. This is an opportunity to reset expectations and deliver a more consistent, high-quality shared ownership experience across the board - and I’m proud to have played a part in helping get us to this point.”
Andrew Greenwood, Deputy Chief Executive of Leeds Building Society, said: “Shared ownership offers a lifeline for those priced out of full ownership, and the Shared Ownership Code is an important step in raising standards, improving the experience for buyers, and strengthening shared ownership’s place in the housing market. At Leeds Building Society, we’re fully supportive of the code and welcome NHBQs involvement as operator to ensure robust and meaningful application. We’d encourage other providers to get on board with the code too.”
Paul Crawford, Chief Executive for LiveWest, said: “We are proud to have signed up to the Shared Ownership Code, which is an important step in raising standards, improving the experience for buyers and strengthening shared ownership’s place in the housing market. We were thrilled to be part of the pilot project and are looking forward to seeing how the Code will provide greater transparency, consistency and fairness in shared ownership. As a customer-focused organisation, we believe this sector-wide approach, shaped by customer feedback, is key to building trust and unlocking future growth.”
The Shared Ownership Code is available for shared ownership housing providers to adopt on a voluntary basis, with online applications opening online from 3 November 2025. For more information on the adopter process, providers can review the website or contact the team at info@sharedownershipcode.org.uk