Loan Stock

Co-Housing Bristol was established in 2001 and purchased its first property, Lower Knowle Farm, in 2010. Ten of us lived communally in the farmhouse, including our teenagers. In 2021, we commenced building new co-housing in three barn-sized blocks in the former farmyard. We now have seven people living in the farmhouse and eighteen in the new-builds, including five children, ranging from new-born to 10 years old. Five of the new-builds have been sold to the residents, two are in a hybrid shared ownership/ rental model, and the farmhouse provides rented rooms.

We have financed the purchase of the farmhouse and the development of the new-builds through members putting in loan stock and the remainder being bank loans. With interest rates having been raised above 7% by our bank, we are seeking alternative finance from investors to ensure the affordability and long-term sustainability of our community. 

Our current loans are £455,000 for the farmhouse, which has seven bedrooms and is valued at £750,000, and £240,000 for ‘Block A’, which is a five-bedroomed unit in shared ownership, with a value of £525,000. We are seeking upwards of £240,000, to pay off the Block A bank loan in its entirety, and/or to reduce the bank loan on the farmhouse.

We are able to offer up to 3% interest, or up to 4% for loans of £5,000 or more or 5 years or more. We will repay loans in full at the end of their terms, including the accrued interest. The lower the interest we pay on loans the more affordable the rent can be. Loans are set at a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £100,000. Loan periods are for 2, 5 or 10 years.