News » The Marlborough Sustainable Housing Trust's First Shared Owner

Our first shared owner lives in a Trust-designed and built three-bedroom house in Brewer Street, Blenheim.

“The flat I was renting was cold and damp but as a first-time buyer there was no way I could afford something as good as this house.

 I’d never heard of shared ownership and it seemed too good to be true. I found out more about the Marlborough Sustainable Housing Trust and couldn’t find any pitfalls. They’re a not-for-profit charity that wants to help people buy warm, comfortable and affordable homes.

 On my own I could only have afforded a lower quality house that was probably cold and damp and needed a lot of work. This house is brand new. It’s much warmer than my old flat, sun streams through the north-facing windows, it’s got really good insulation and solar water heating, so that brings down my power bills.

 With my deposit and mortgage I own a 50 per cent share of the house and aim to eventually buy out the other 50 per cent from the Trust. It’s a great scheme - I could never have afforded this house on my own, but I can afford half.

I’d always dreamed of living in a new home and now I am. I’d definitely recommend shared ownership to my friends.”