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What happens when I am offered a home?

Processes and protocols on being offered a home
What happens when I am offered a home?

What happens when I am offered a property?

Step 1: We contact you

If a suitable property becomes available, we will contact you to discuss the offer and explain the next steps.

Step 2: View the property

You will be given the opportunity to view the property before making a decision.

Step 3: Decide whether to proceed

If you would like to proceed after viewing the property, your Housing Officer will issue an Intent Offer Letter.

You will then have 7 days to obtain an Approval in Principle from your chosen lender.

Once the property has officially been sold back to GHA, you will receive a Formal Offer Letter. At this stage, you will have 14 days to:

  • obtain full mortgage approval
  • sign and return your offer letter
  • pay one month’s rent and service charge in advance

If you decide not to proceed, the property will be offered to the next suitable applicant on the waiting list.

Step 4: Arrange your mortgage and finances

If you accept the offer, you will need to arrange your mortgage, legal representation and any financial requirements before the purchase can proceed.

The banks currently offering mortgages for partial ownership properties are:

  • Skipton International
  • Butterfield Bank
  • NatWest International

As part of the mortgage process, your chosen lender will arrange for an independent valuer to inspect the property and confirm its market value.

If there is any delay with your mortgage application or financial arrangements, please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your circumstances.

Step 5: Legal paperwork

Once you confirm that you wish to proceed, the legal process will begin.

The lease for the property will be prepared and sent to you for review and signature.

Step 6: Completion

Once all legal documents have been signed and financial arrangements are in place, the sale can complete.

This process usually takes around 12 weeks, although timescales can vary depending on mortgage approval and legal processes.

Once funds have been received, GHA will release the keys to the property.

Step 7: Moving into your home

Once the sale has completed, you can move into your new home and your partial ownership agreement will begin.

Can I decline a property?

You are able to decline a property if you feel that the property does not suit your needs and have reasonable reasons for the refusal. You do have to remember that GHA may only have a few properties that come available throughout the year, and properties are in high demand.

Why and what is the service charge?

What is the service charge and why do I pay it?

In addition to your rent or monthly housing payment, a monthly service charge may also apply. This charge contributes towards the cost of maintaining, repairing and managing shared areas and communal services that remain the responsibility of the Guernsey Housing Association.

Service charges help ensure that shared spaces and facilities are kept safe, clean and in good condition for all residents. The charge covers the upkeep of communal areas and services associated with your development, which may include:

  • Maintenance of landscaped and communal garden areas
  • Grass cutting and general grounds maintenance
  • Upkeep of private roads, parking areas and footpaths
  • Maintenance of communal drainage systems
  • Repairs and maintenance to shared external areas
  • Servicing and maintenance of shared building systems where applicable
  • Management of communal facilities and infrastructure within the development

For partial ownership properties, the service charge also includes the annual servicing of the boiler, where provided as part of the property. This covers the cost of the standard annual service only. If any repairs are identified during the service, including replacement parts or additional labour, these costs are the responsibility of the partial owner.

Service charges vary between developments because each scheme has different communal areas, facilities and maintenance requirements. Some developments may have only limited shared areas and therefore lower service charges, while others may include more extensive communal facilities that require additional upkeep.

Apartment developments can sometimes have higher service charges than houses because they often include additional shared facilities and maintenance obligations. For example, apartment blocks may include communal entrances, hallways, stairwells, external lighting, door entry systems, shared roofing, and in some cases lifts. Where a lift is provided, servicing, inspections, repairs and safety compliance can significantly increase service charge costs.

All partial owners are required to pay into a sinking fund. A sinking fund is money set aside over time to help cover the cost of major future works, such as roof replacement, external painting or communal improvements. This helps spread the cost of larger repairs and reduces the need for unexpected one-off charges.

The service charge is reviewed regularly to ensure it reflects the actual cost of providing and maintaining these shared services. Charges are set to recover the cost of the services provided and are not intended to generate profit.

Examples of the cost (2026)

Clos Barbier: 1 Bedroom Flat pays £185.87 in service charge per month

Cour du Parc Two-bedroom flat pays £284.85 in service charge per month

Clos L’Ecole Three Bedroom house pays £263.00 in service charge per month

What happens if I own a partial ownership property but I want to move?

If your need has changed, or you are in a flat and would like to be considered for a house, then current GHA partial owners can join the waiting list. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria and will join the waiting list as at the date the new application is received. You will then need to follow the sell back process.