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FAQs about co-ownership at Silverlake, Dorset

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About the Silverlake Estate & Habitat First Group

What is co-ownership

What is co‑ownership?

You buy a 25% share of a fully built, fully furnished holiday home at Silverlake for £333,000.
You become a legal co-owner (not a timeshare holder) and receive approx. 13 weeks of exclusive use per year.
You benefit from:

  • Lower entry cost
  • Shared running costs
  • Real property ownership and potential capital appreciation
  • Exceptional, managed facilities on your plot – pool, hot tub, sauna, outdoor kitchen and within the main estate.
  • Offers one of the last available opportunities to get membership to the homeowner-only Hurricane Spa.

How do I buy a share?

  1. Choose your property
  2. Reserve your 25% share with a £10,000 non‑refundable deposit (goes toward your purchase).
  3. Legal setup takes around 6 weeks. You sign:
    • A co‑ownership agreement
    • A share purchase contract
  4. At exchange, you pay up to 10% of your share price (minus the £10k reservation).
  5. You complete your payments at each construction stage as outlined in your contracts.

How is co-ownership structured?

The home is owned by a special purpose company (SPV). Each owner holds 25% of that company.
This structure:

  • Protects each owner
  • Simplifies resale
  • Avoids repeated full-property conveyancing

All rights, responsibilities, and processes (including selling your share) are detailed in the co‑ownership agreement.

How does usage work?

As a 25% owner, you get 13 weeks per year through a fair, rotating booking system. You enjoy exclusive use during your allocated dates, plus full access to all estate amenities. Bookings are handled through an online portal.

Can I own more than one share?

You can own up to two shares of one individual property.

What are the costs?

  • Your 25% purchase price (turnkey, including furniture)
  • Your share of setup costs (legal structure, SDLT or share stamp duty — usually included in the sale price)
  • Annual service charge including facilities and property maintenance
  • A per-stay turnaround fee

    Please contact the sales team for a full schedule of costs.

How long can I stay for and when can I arrive?

  • Stays are permitted from 3 nights to 7 nights. Back-to-back bookings are not permitted. You may arrive on any day to suit you.
  • You will be given an even allocation of Super Peak (August and New Year), Peak (Feb HT, Easter, May HT and October HT stays.)

How do I book my stay?

  • Once signed up as a homeowner, you will get access to a platform where you will be able to view the calendar for the upcoming 12 months in order to book your stays.

  • The calendar will be released on a rotation basis each January. The first person to reserve a share will be given first refusal on booking in Y1 and so on until the fourth person. This will then be randomised in Y2 onwards.

  • You will able to book 6 stays in one block before the next person has their allocation opened up

How do I sell my share?

You may sell after 12 months of ownership. Options include:

  • Selling privately
  • Selling via Silverlake Resales
    Co-owners usually have first refusal.
    The process is quick and simple since you’re selling your company shares, not the whole property.
    Any profit is yours, and CGT may apply.

Is the property pet friendly?

  • Up to two small/medium size dogs are generally permitted in this property. 

Can I rent the property out?

  • This property cannot be commercially let out. However, you may share your allocation with family and friends. Naturally, anyone sharing allocation will need to share estate rules and regulations in advance of the stay and you will be responsible for anyone staying within your allocation.

Anything else to know?

• Homes are delivered turnkey, fully furnished
• Professional management handles cleaning, maintenance, bookings, and guest services
• Easy communication via an online portal
• Owners may swap weeks if mutually agreed
• All-four-owner agreement allows the home to be sold outright if desired

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Investment

Will Silverlake’s holiday homes be exempt from the second council tax?

Holiday homes at Silverlake benefit from substantial tax savings are also exempt from the additional council tax premium for second homes. Holiday Home Property Investments in Dorset

Is there a homeowners’ community that takes an active role in how the service charge is used?

There is a homeowner representative group at Silverlake who meets with the Estate team on a quarterly basis to run through service charge management and future ambitions for Silverlake.

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Lifestyle

Which spas at Silverlake will we have access to?

With a co-ownership purchase, you will have membership to the Hurricane Spa.

You will also have the option to purchase an annual membership to the new Silverlake Lido, which is due to complete in 2026.

How do we make the most of the activities at Silverlake?

You are able to purchase an annual membership to The Activity Hub, which will mean you can use bikes, canoes and paddleboards at your leisure, with no need to change equipment as your family grows.

Will more facilities be added to the Silverlake Estate in the future?

We are always developing new facilities for our holiday homeowners and their guests. This year, we will open a series of new activities including boules, a football/golf net with a speed gun, volleyball, bike track and an area for children's games.

Next year, there will be a new attraction in Knighton Heath Woods, in recognition of our heritage, whilst 2026 will see the stunning Silverlake Lido open, complete with restaurant, outdoor heated pool, hydrothermal experiences and spa treatment pods.

There are also new facilities planned for Osprey Island at Deanesly Point, including a beach, playground, picnic area, Activity Hub and shop.