Criteria A-Z

As we manually underwrite our mortgages we're much more flexible with our criteria than most. Using our common sense approach (and our ears!) means we can cater for a wide spectrum of solutions for your clients, no matter their circumstances.

Browse criteria by A-Z below or search criteria by keyword to find what you need.

Take a look at what we have to offer
Buy to Let Criteria
Permission to Self Occupy Holiday Let Property

Our standard acceptability

We do not accept Holiday Let applications

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider applications from borrowers that wish to Let the property on a Holiday Let basis and occupy the property themselves from time to time. For example whilst the property is predominantly Let on a Holiday Let a few weeks a year the applicant would like to stay in the property.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on properties that are intended to be Let as a 'Holiday Let'

Last updated:

22 May 2018

Politically exposed persons

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an applicant that is considered a politically exposed person.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider an applicant that is classed as a politically exposed person.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Portable mortgages as standard

Our standard acceptability

Yes

Criteria definition:

Indicates if our Buy to Let mortgages are portable as standard.

Our policy notes:

Our products are portable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Portfolio Applicants Minimum Income Requirement

Our standard acceptability

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we specifiy a minimum income an applicant must earn in order to be considered for a Buy to Let mortgage where the applicant is considered a portfolio landlord.

Our policy notes:

The Society does not have a minimum income for Buy to Let.

Last updated:

30 April 2019

Portfolio Landlord Minimum Experience

Our standard acceptability

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we require a minimum amount of experience (IN MONTHS) if lending to what we consider to be a portfolio landlord.

Our policy notes:

The Society does not insist on a minimum period of experience.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Portfolio Landlords Position and Definition

Our standard acceptability

Accepted

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept 'Portfolio' landlords and IMPORTANTLY how they define a portfolio landlord.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society specifies a 'Portfolio Landlord' as 4 or more completed qualifying rental properties that are mortgaged. The number of qualifying properties that constitutes a 'Portfolio Landlord' is All applicants combined Buy To Let properties. A qualifying property:

    • Includes Privately owned Buy to Let rental properties
    • Includes Company owned Buy to Let rental properties
    • where the applicant has a shareholding of more than 0 %
    • Includes Consent to Let properties
    • Includes Holiday Lets
    Single title multi unit properties are counted as individual properties.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Post Offer Changes

Our standard acceptability

Yes

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we will allow post-offer changes

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially allow post offer changes

Last updated:

03 August 2023

Power of Attorneys

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an applicant that is acting with Power of Attorney.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider an applicant from someone acting as a power of attorney.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Premium lease agreements (tenancies where a proportion of the rent is paid upfront)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider applications where the applicant's tenant will be paying their rent as an advance payment. 

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not accept 'Premium Lease Agreements' where a prospective tenant is paying their rent as an advanced payment.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Previously Repossessed (years ago acceptable)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept Buy to Let applications from applicants that have previously been repossessed and if so how many years need to have passed to be acceptable.

Our policy notes:

Unfortunately, we are unable to lend to any borrower who has been previously repossessed.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Properties with Asbestos

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property where there is evidence of asbestos present.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does NOT lend on properties where Asbestos is identified.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property being purchased at auction

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider an application where the property will be purchased at auction

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider an Buy to Let application where the property will be purchased at auction

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Construction: 100% Timber Construction

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially accept 100% timber construction properties - this is NOT the same as timber framed.

Our policy notes:

These are not acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Construction: BOPAS accreditation required for non-standard construction

Our standard acceptability

No

Criteria definition:

Indicates if BOPAS accreditation is required for non-standard construction where the non-standard construction type is acceptable to us

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not require BOPAS accreditation for non-standard construction where the construction type is acceptable to us

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Construction: British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider properties where the construction type is British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF)

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties where the construction type is British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF)

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Construction: Concrete construction

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially accept concrete construction properties.

Our policy notes:

Prefabricated or large panel concrete construction (LPS) are not acceptable. Pre-fabricated reinforced concrete construction (PRC) May be considered if the property has been repaired by PRC Homes with a brick external skin and has the benefit of a 60 year guarantee, and the Valuer confirms property is readily saleable. NB. If the property is either semi-detached or terraced, all properties in the row must have been repaired. Concrete block construction designated Mundic are not acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Construction: Converted church

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider an application on a converted church

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially consider an application on a converted church

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Construction: Cornish construction

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider properties where the construction type is Cornish

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on cornish construction properties.

Last updated:

03 August 2022

Property Construction: Dutch barns

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider Dutch Barn properties

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on a Dutch Barn property

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Construction: Easiform

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially accept Easiform construction properties.

Our policy notes:

Laing Easi-Form construction (providing in good condition) is acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Affordability Calculator

Find out how much your residential client may be able to borrow. To see affordability for a Buy to Let client, use our Buy to Let calculator

Find Your Local

Business Development Manager

Your Local BDM:

Sam Morrison

Working out of our head office, as our phone-based BDM in Epsom, Sam has a wealth of knowledge regarding our processes and criteria and covers a variety of postcodes across the UK.
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Your Local BDM:

Neil Cadwallader

Neil has over 19 years experience in Financial Services. Neil focuses around South Wales and the West of England area. Contact Neil for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Stuart Heavens

Stuart focuses on the South Coast area. Contact Stuart for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Amar Mashru

Amar focuses on the Central London area. Contact Amar for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Arif Kara

Arif was previously a mortgage adviser, and focuses on North and West London. Contact Arif for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Nathan Waller

Nathan, previously a mortgage broker, focuses on Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Kent. Contact Nathan for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Grace Bennett

Grace focuses around the West M25 area. Contact Grace for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Gina England

Gina has a vast amount of experience with both simple and complex lending solutions. If you're in the East or West Midlands, please contact Gina for help with your clients' mortgages.
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Your Local BDM:

Paul Roberts

Paul has over 30 years' experience and focuses on the North (inc. M62 corridor), Yorkshire and the North East. Contact Paul for help with your clients' mortgages.
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We do not currently have a BDM covering your area. Please contact our Mortgage Helpdesk:

Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5.30pm. Saturday: Closed

We may record any telephone calls we have with you in the interest of staff training, monitoring customer service or for security purposes.

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