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.

Owner Occupier Criteria

Buy to Let Criteria

Property Construction: Single skin

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider single skin properties

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on single skin property subject to valuer's comments.

Last updated:

09 July 2021

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Property Construction: Steel framed

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept steel framed properties as suitable lending security.

Our policy notes:

These are not acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

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Property Construction: Structural Insulated Panel Solutions (SIPs)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider properties where the construction type is Structural Insulated Panel Solutions (SIPs)

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties where the construction type is Structural Insulated Panel Solutions (SIPs)

Last updated:

16 September 2020

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Property Construction: Thatched roof

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept properties that have any element of a thatched roof.

Our policy notes:

These are acceptable.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

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Property Construction: Timber framed

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept timber framed properties.

Our policy notes:

Timber frame dwellings that are listed as Tudor buildings or those built after 1965 are acceptable.

Last updated:

30 March 2022

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Property Construction: Timber framed (1900 to 1970)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property that is of Timber-Framed construction built between 1900 to 1970 for Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties that are a timber frame construction dating between 1900 to 1970.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

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Property Construction: Timber framed (Post 1970)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property that is of Timber-Framed construction built after 1970 for Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties that are a timber frame construction dated post 1970.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

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Property Construction: Timber framed (Pre 1900)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property that is of Timber-Framed construction built prior to 1900 for Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties that are a timber frame construction dating pre 1900.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

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Property Construction: Tower Block with Cladding

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on a property in a tower block with cladding

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on a tower block of flats that have cladding

Last updated:

16 September 2020

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Property Construction: Wholly Timbered

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider wholly timbered property

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on a wholly timbered property

Last updated:

11 September 2020

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Property Construction: Woolaway

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider a woolaway property

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on a woolaway property

Our outside policy allowances:

These are declared defective under the Defective Housing Act and the Society can only consider those that have been adapted and have a PRC certificate.

Last updated:

16 September 2020

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Property Developers

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept applications from property developers

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from individuals they deem property developers.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

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Property factor: Spray foam insulation

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider properties where there is spray foam insulation

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society is unable to lend on properties with spray foam insulation

Last updated:

03 August 2022

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Property Factors: Mine Shafts

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property that is close to a mine shaft for Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially consider lending on properties that are close to a mine shaft.

Last updated:

12 February 2020

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Property factors: Next to commercial (Class A1 – shops and retail outlets)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property where it borders Class A1 commercial premises. Class A1 businesses are shops and retail.

Our policy notes:

The Society can usually lend on properties bordering Class A1 commercial premises although these should be referred to ensure they are accpetable.

Last updated:

02 September 2021

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Property factors: Next to commercial (Class A2 – professional services)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property where it borders Class A2 commercial premises. Class A2 businesses are professional services.

Our policy notes:

The Society can usually lend on properties bordering Class A2 commercial premises.

Last updated:

02 September 2021

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Property factors: Next to commercial (Class A3 – food and drink)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property where it borders Class A3 commercial premises. Class A3 businesses are for food and drink.

Our policy notes:

The Society will usually not lend on properties bordering Class A3 commercial premises.

Last updated:

02 September 2021

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Property factors: Next to commercial (Class A4 – drinking establishments)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a property where it borders Class A4 commercial premises. Class A4 businesses are drinking establishments.

Our policy notes:

The Society will usually not lend on properties bordering Class A4 commercial premises.

Last updated:

02 September 2021

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Property Factors: Overhead power lines

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on properties that have overhead power lines running above them.

Our policy notes:

The Society will not lend on properties with powerlines overhead.

Last updated:

17 August 2023

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Property Factors: Property needing Refurbishment before Letting

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider Buy to Let applications where refurbishment is required

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider a Buy to Let application where the property requires refurbishment before it can be Let.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

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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