Clear, simple, and transparent
Before joining anything like this, you need to understand:
- What you’re buying
- What it costs
- How the money works
SharedAcres is designed to be straightforward and predictable, with no hidden complexity.
Ownership explained
You don’t buy land directly – you own a share in the cooperative
When you join SharedAcres, you purchase shares in the cooperative that owns the land.
What that means:
- The cooperative legally owns the land
- You own a share in the cooperative
- Your share gives you:
- A stake in the land
- Voting rights
- Access to the land
One Member = One Vote
Ownership is not about control.
- Every member has equal voting rights
- Holding more shares does not give extra power
This keeps things fair and prevents dominance
Not an Investment Product
It’s important to be clear:
SharedAcres shares are:
- Not designed for speculation
- Not intended for financial return
- Not traded on a market
They exist to enable:
Shared ownership and access to land
How shares work
A simple, participation-based model
Initial Setup
- A fixed number of shares are created (e.g. 100)
- Each share has a fixed cost (e.g. £1,000)
- Funds are used to purchase land
Future Land Purchases
When new land is acquired:
- New shares are issued
- Pricing reflects the cost of that land
Example:
- New site: £80,000
- 100 shares at £800
Key Principles
- Participation is optional
- Existing members get priority
- New members can join when space is available
You choose how involved you want to be
What you pay
Simple, predictable costs
1. One-Off Contribution
This is your share purchase.
- Typically around £1,000
- Used directly to acquire land
2. Annual Fee
A small yearly contribution from each member.
Typical range:
£12–£30 per year
What this covers:
- Land maintenance
- Insurance
- Legal and admin costs
- Basic operations
- Reserve fund
No hidden charges or unexpected fees
How the money works
Every site is financially independent
Each land scheme manages its own finances.
Member contributions are used for:
- Maintaining the land
- Running the site
- Building a reserve
Income
Income from sites is used to:
- Offset member costs
- Improve the land
- Maintaining the land
- Running the site
- Building a reserve
- Strengthen financial stability
Financial stability
Designed to be low-risk and sustainable
SharedAcres is structured to avoid common financial problems.
1. Annual Fees Provide Stability
Regular contributions ensure:
- Predictable income
- Ongoing maintenance
- No reliance on external funding
2. Reserve Fund
A portion of funds is set aside to cover:
- Unexpected costs
- Repairs or maintenance
- Limited share buybacks
3. Controlled Growth
New land is only purchased when:
- Enough members commit
- Funding is secured
No debt-heavy expansion
4. Share Resale System
If members leave:
- Shares are offered to other members
- Then to new joiners
This helps:
- Maintain stability
- Reduce financial pressure on the co-op
Costs overview
What this looks like in practice
Example Scenario
- 100 members
- £1,000 each
- £100,000 land purchase
Annual Running Costs
- £1,200 – £3,000 per year
Cost Per Member
- Low estimate: ~£12/year
- Typical range: £20–£30/year
Startup Costs (Co-op setup)
- £150 – £2,500 total
- Shared across members
What this means for you
A realistic expectation
You are:
✔ Contributing to shared ownership
✔ Paying a small ongoing cost
✔ Getting access to land
You are not:
✘ Making a short-term investment
✘ Expecting guaranteed returns
✘ Taking on high financial risk
In simple terms
Here’s the model:
- You contribute once to buy land
- You pay a small yearly cost to maintain it
- The land is designed to support itself
That’s it – no complexity beyond that
Does this feel right for you?
If you’re comfortable with the model and want to be part of the founding group: