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

Flat/Maisonette Maximum LTV (Standard)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum potential loan to value (LTV) we can accept where the property type is a flat or maisonette and it is NOT considered a new build.

Our policy notes:

The maximum LTV the Society will lend on any BTL is 75%

Last updated:

12 February 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Flying Freehold: Maximum acceptable percentage of the gross floor area

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum percentage of gross floor area the flying freehold part covers that can be considered by us

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society accepts flying freehold up to a maximum gross floor area of 20%

Last updated:

11 September 2020

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Foreign Nationals (Living Overseas)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider applications from foreign nationals living overseas who wish to obtain a BUY TO LET mortgage here in the UK. For example, a Chinese applicant who does not live or work in the UK who wants to purchase property here in the UK on a Buy to Let basis as an investment.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider Buy to Let applications for foreign nationals (living overseas)

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Foreign Nationals (with indefinite leave to remain)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are potentially able to accept applications from foreign nationals that have indefinite leave to remain.

Our policy notes:

We do accept applications from foreign nationals with a permanent right to reside.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Foreign Nationals (WITHOUT indefinite leave to remain)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are potentially able to accept applications from foreign nationals that DO NOT have indefinite leave to remain.

Our policy notes:

We would not be prepared to accept applications from non-EU nationals without a permanent right to reside.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Full Time Landlord

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend to what we consider to be professional landlords. Typically a professional landlord is an applicant whose main income source is from their rental income from property.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept applications from 'Full Time Landlords'.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Gambling (recurring transactions)

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider applicants with recurrent gambling transactions on BTL applications

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider applicants that have recurring gambling transactions

Last updated:

11 September 2020

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Green mortgage

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept a Green Mortgage buy to let application.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society is unable to consider a Green Mortgage buy to let application

Last updated:

02 August 2021

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Guaranteed rental scheme

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if a we will consider applications on a Guaranteed Rent Scheme

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applications where a Guaranteed Rental Scheme will be set up only if the tenancy agreement is between our client and the underlying tenant.

Last updated:

04 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Historic CIFAS Record (Years)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an applicant that is on the CIFAS register and if so, what time must have passed in order for them to be potentially accepted by the lender for a new mortgage application.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept customers that are registered on the CIFAS register. We require the applicant's registration date to be at least 3 Years ago.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO BTL affordability assessment

Our standard acceptability

ICR based

Criteria definition:

This relates to the potential rental calculation we will apply.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO First Time Landlord

Our standard acceptability

We do not accept HMO applications

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider a Buy to Let application on an HMO property from a first time landlord.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on 'Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'.

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Maximum LTV

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum LTV we can consider for Buy to Let applications on HMO properties

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Maximum Number of Bedrooms

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a maximum number of bedrooms allowed on HMO properties and if so how many

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Maximum Number of Kitchens

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of kitchens permitted by us in an HMO property

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Maximum Number of Storeys

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of storeys permitted on HMO properties.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. This Mortgage is aimed at Limited Company SPV landlords, only

Our outside policy allowances:

A 'Small HMO' is a property with up to six occupants from more than one household in a maximum of four bedrooms
The occupants live together and share common facilities such as a bathroom, kitchen or toilet with one main access
The property can be easily converted back into a single main dwelling (family home)
A borrower (the Limited Company) who has at least one existing Buy to Let property that they have maintained for at least 12 months

Last updated:

20 February 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Minimum Applicant Experience

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we require applicants to have a minimum HMO experience and if so how much (IN MONTHS)

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Minimum Double Bedroom Square Metre

Our standard acceptability

We do not accept HMO applications

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a minimum square metreage requirement on a double bedroom and if so what it is.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on 'Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Minimum Property Value

Our standard acceptability

120000

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we specify a minimum property value for HMO properties and if so what it is.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider lending on 'Small Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'. UK Landlords, Limited Companies and Expats can be considered

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

HMO Minimum Single Bedroom Square Metre

Our standard acceptability

We do not accept HMO applications

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a minimum square metreage requirement on a single bedroom and if so what it is.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on 'Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)'.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

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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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