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
Property Type: Coach house

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider a coach house property

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on coach houses

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Property Type: Ex local auth flat/maisonette

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially able to lend on ex local authority flats/maisonettes.

Our policy notes:

We would not lend on this property type.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Ex local authority house/bungalow

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on ex local authority houses/bungalows.

Our policy notes:

These are acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Flat above commercial food outlet

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept flats above a commercial food outlet.

Our policy notes:

We would not accept this sort of property.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Flat above commercial offices

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept flats that are above commercial offices.

Our policy notes:

Prestige locations only. Properties should have separate title and access. Valuer to confirm the property is readily saleable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Flat above commercial pub

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept flats that are above a pub.

Our policy notes:

We would not consider this type of property.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Freehold flats and maisonettes

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept a flat or maisonette where the tenure is freehold.

Our policy notes:

Freehold flats/maisonettes are not acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Grade 1 listed building

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on property classified as a Grade 1 listed building. Categories of listed buildings in England & Wales: Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest. Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II: buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

Our policy notes:

The Society is unable to lend on Grade 1 listed properties.

Last updated:

16 August 2023

Property Type: Grade 2 Listed Building

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on property classified as a Grade 2 Listed Building. Categories of listed buildings in England & Wales: Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest. Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II: buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

Our policy notes:

The Society will lend on Grade II listed properties.

Last updated:

17 August 2023

Property Type: Studio flat

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on studio flats.

Our policy notes:

Studio flats are not normally acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property Type: Studio Flat Minimum Floor Area (Sq Metres)

Our standard acceptability

We do not lend on studio flats

Criteria definition:

Indicates the area in square metres required when lending on studio flats for Buy to Let lending.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on studio flats.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property usage: Agricultural restrictions

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept properties that have agricultural restrictions.

Our policy notes:

The Society will not usually lend on properties with agricultural restrictions.

Last updated:

03 August 2022

Property with acreage

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept properties that have a significant amount of land (properties that have acreage).

Our policy notes:

These are not acceptable unless the land is separated from the main house' title. Valuations are assessed on the house and immediate gardens.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property with age restrictions/retirement properties

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially accept buy to let applications from applicants who are looking to purchase a property that has an age restriction. For example, Mr Jones is looking to purchase a retirement apartment that can only be occupied by people who are at least 55 years of age. 

Our policy notes:

The Society will not lend on properties with any form of occupancy restriction.

Last updated:

16 August 2023

Property with deck access

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept properties that have deck access.

Our policy notes:

We do not accept this property type.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property with more than one kitchen

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept an application where the security property has more than one kitchen. This is not the same as a property split into two or more units or a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Our policy notes:

Properties with more than one kitchen are not normally acceptable.

Our outside policy allowances:

Consideration can be given where a property has a 'granny' annexe. These must be referred prior to submission on an application. Please provide the property address and any sales particulars (where applicable) for an underwriter to give consideration.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Property with Restrictive Covenant Section 106

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications on properties that are subject to a Section 106 restrictive covenant.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on properties that have a section 106 restrictive covenant.

Last updated:

31 January 2018

Purchase and rent back to the builders as a show home

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider a Buy to Let application where the applicant will purchase a new build property and rent back to the builders as a show home

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider a Buy to Let application where the applicant will purchase a new build property and rent back to the builders as a show home

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Purchase applications where existing tenants will remain in the property

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept situations where the property being purchased on a Buy to Let basis has an existing tenant who wishes to remain in the property and therefore vacant possession on completion would not exist.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not accept situations on purchase applications where there is a tenant in situ at the property where it is the intention to allow them to remain as the ongoing tenant.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Purchase from Individual Name to Limited Company (Related Transaction)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept an application where a Limited Company wishes to purchase a property from one of its directors or shareholders. This is typically referred to as a 'Related Transaction'.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially consider applications where the Ltd Company is purchasing the property on a related transaction basis.

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

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