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Independent Review of Shojin: What Investors Need to Know

Investing in property-backed crowdfunding platforms has grown in popularity over the past few years. Shojin, a UK-based investment platform, has positioned itself as a gateway for retail and institutional investors to access mid-market real estate developments. But how does Shojin really stack up when it comes to reliability, investor satisfaction, and financial returns?

In this independent review of Shojin, we’ll take a closer look at investor experiences, project outcomes, and the platform's operational transparency to help you make an informed decision.

Shojin Property Partners is a real estate investment platform that offers fractional investment opportunities in UK property developments. It aims to democratize access to institutional-grade property projects, allowing individuals to invest from as little as £5,000. The company emphasizes a co-investment model, meaning they invest alongside their users, theoretically aligning their interests with those of the investors.

However, in recent years, Shojin has come under scrutiny from some investors who claim that the reality of investing through the platform differs greatly from the sales pitch.

A growing number of Shojin investors have raised serious concerns about their experiences. Here are some recurring themes found across multiple reviews:

Many investors report that their investments were supposed to mature within 12 months but remain unresolved even 2–3 years later. While some delays are expected in real estate, the frequency and severity of these delays have raised red flags.

“I invested in two projects that were supposed to last one year. Three years later, I still haven’t received my capital back.”

Several reviews highlight that many of the projects listed on Shojin’s platform face repeated issues such as construction halts, contractor disputes, and financial mismanagement. Some even claim that reputable banks and lenders had previously rejected these developments, suggesting that Shojin's due diligence may be lacking.

“Almost all the projects falter! The costs and timelines they advertise are completely misleading.”

While Shojin does provide updates, many investors feel that communication is generic, repetitive, and unhelpful. Monthly updates often provide new justifications for delays without offering real solutions or timelines for repayment.

“Shojin communicates every month, but every time it’s just another excuse.”

One of the most troubling aspects is the perception that Shojin continues to list new projects and accept fresh capital while failing to resolve long-overdue repayments. Some investors have gone so far as to question whether this practice is ethical, especially when previous projects remain unpaid.

“They’re still opening new projects while existing investors wait years for their money back.”

There have been mentions of pending litigation and serious regulatory breaches involving Shojin-backed developments. One investor even cited an arrest connected to violations of asbestos safety regulations. These issues compound concerns about Shojin’s project vetting process and risk management protocols.

While Shojin markets attractive returns, particularly for those seeking alternatives to traditional real estate investing, the reality appears to be far more complex. The absence of timely repayments, combined with the perceived indifference toward investor losses, casts doubt on whether the risk-to-reward ratio is favorable.

In some cases, investors have reported zero capital return or interest on investments made as far back as 2021–2022.

For potential investors, Shojin presents both opportunity and significant risk. The platform's vision to democratize property investing is admirable, but execution appears to fall short in several key areas—particularly project quality, transparency, and risk mitigation.

• Low minimum investment thresholds

• Fractional ownership of mid-market property projects

• Co-investment model (Shojin invests alongside users)

• Delays in project completion and repayments

• Questionable project quality and due diligence

• Poor investor communication

• Multiple unresolved investments years beyond maturity

• Ongoing legal and regulatory concerns

If you're considering investing with Shojin, it is essential to do extensive research, seek independent financial advice, and approach with caution. While the platform may offer access to projects otherwise unavailable to retail investors, the risks—especially in light of mounting investor complaints—should not be underestimated.

In the world of alternative investing, transparency and trust are paramount. Based on current investor sentiment and the number of unresolved issues, Shojin has significant work to do to restore confidence and credibility in its platform.