“I never wanted to rent – homeownership was always the goal for me”: Aisha finds her first home at Barking Riverside

May 2025

Set on beginning her home buying journey sooner rather than later, Aisha Pinto-Pamben (25) knew from the start that renting wasn’t an option she wanted to explore. Moving back into her family home in Romford after finishing her university degree, Aisha began working as an Account Manager for a parking solutions company in Stratford.

“I always knew I wanted to buy rather than rent. Renting felt like throwing money away, and I wanted to invest in something for my future. Living at home whilst working meant I could take some time to save – something I’m really grateful to my parents for,” she explains.

At the end of September 2024, Aisha began her property search and came across L&Q’s Shared Ownership homes at Barking Riverside, a rapidly developing new neighbourhood on the banks of the River Thames, set on a site the size of London’s Hyde Park. The neighbourhood is being delivered by master-developer Barking Riverside Limited, a joint venture between L&Q and the Mayor of London. L&Q is currently offering a collection of newly built one- and two-bedroom Shared Ownership homes at the development.

“I never really thought new builds were for me. I’d always liked the idea of a fixer-upper, but after speaking to a friend about it, I realised a new build could actually be perfect… far less work, time and money!” she recalls.

Intrigued, Aisha booked a viewing and was immediately impressed by the development: “When I walked into the flat I eventually went on to buy, it just felt right. I loved the balcony and huge windows. I knew straight away that this was the place for me.”

Aisha acted quickly and was impressed by the support she received from the L&Q Sales Team. “The process moved speedily, and the L&Q team were super helpful in making sure everything went smoothly – especially Nipa, who couldn’t have been more lovely. They really pushed things through to make it happen,” she recalls.

Aisha bought a 25% share of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom Shared Ownership apartment at Barking Riverside.

Aisha was already aware of the benefits of Shared Ownership: “My parents bought their home through Shared Ownership, so I was already aware of how it worked. It made getting onto the property ladder much more achievable for me, especially as a solo buyer,” she explains.

Saving for her deposit took discipline, but with careful planning Aisha made it happen. “It would have been so much harder to buy on the open market. With Shared Ownership, I didn’t have to compromise on what I wanted,” she says.

Since moving in, Aisha has been settling into her new home and community: “The people here are really friendly, and there are great communal spaces, including play areas that my younger brother loves. I’m also excited to make use of the gym and workspace facilities,” she says.

Barking Riverside’s transport links have also made her daily commute a breeze. “The train is fantastic and just a short walk away. I love how connected I am to everything, and I can get to work in just 45 minutes,” she adds.

Looking back on her journey, Aisha is proud of how far she has come. “All of my friends and family are so impressed that I’ve stepped onto the property ladder. Moving back home to save was worth it in the end,” she reflects.

“I’d love to think that more and more Gen Zs are looking to step onto the property ladder but am fully aware that without schemes like Shared Ownership, it’s just not possible. It’s getting even harder in the current climate, where it feels like we’re living paycheque to paycheque.”

“Still, people see the value in homeownership. Most of us have seen our parents, grandparents and even older siblings step onto the ladder – it’s our turn! We deserve it.”

As she settles into her new home, Aisha is excited about the future: “It feels amazing to have a place to call my own. This is just the beginning!”