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

Limited Company (Trading) maximum number of applicants

Our standard acceptability

Does not lend to Trading Ltd Companies

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of applicants we can consider when lending to Trading Limited Companies

Our policy notes:

The Society does not lend to trading limited companies.

Last updated:

22 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company (Trading) Min Trading Period

Our standard acceptability

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if there is a minimum trading period for 'Trading Limited Companies' and if so how long IN MONTHS this is.

Our policy notes:

There is no minimum trading period for the SPV. However, the SPV must be a distinct company with its own assets and liabilities, as well as its own legal status and created for the specific objective of the holding of BTL property.

Last updated:

22 March 2021

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company (Trading) shareholders required to provide personal guarantees

Our standard acceptability

Does not lend to Trading Ltd Companies

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we require shareholders in a 'Trading' Limited Company to provide personal guarantees as well as the 'Directors'.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend to trading limited companies.

Last updated:

08 November 2021

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company Buy to Let

Our standard acceptability

Accepted

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from Limited Companies

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider Ltd Company Buy to Let applications with SIC codes 68100, 68209 & 68320

Last updated:

10 January 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company Buy to Let (Special Purpose Vehicle SPV)

Our standard acceptability

Accepted

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from Limited Companies where the Ltd company is set up as a 'Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)'.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from Ltd Companies set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the SIC codes 68100, 68209 & 68320

Last updated:

10 January 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company Buy to Let (Trading Company - No SPV)

Our standard acceptability

Not Accepted

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from Trading Limited Companies. Trading Limited Companies are companies that are not set up exclusively for the purpose of buying property for example a trading ltd company that sells furniture as its primary function.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does NOT accept Buy to Let applications from TRADING Ltd Companies.

Last updated:

22 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Limited Company Maximum Age of Director / Shareholder / Applicant at application

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum age an applicant can be at application.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider Buy to Let applications from Ltd Companies where the applicant is aged 84 or under at point of application.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Ltd Co BTL: Source of deposit is from applicants other company

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we consider a Limited Company Buy to Let application where the source of deposit is from applicants other company

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider a Limited Company Buy to Let application where the source of deposit is from applicants other company.

Last updated:

16 September 2020

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Aggregate Portfolio LTV (within group or lender)

Our standard acceptability

No Maximum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we specify a maximum LTV of all properties owned by the applicants that are mortgaged to them or their group.

Our policy notes:

The Society can consider lending on portfolios.

Last updated:

30 July 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum debt to income ratio

Our standard acceptability

No Maximum

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum potential debt to income (DTI) ratio we might accept for Buy to Let applications. For example, an applicant has outstanding unsecured debts of £26,000 and a salary of £40,000. Therefore their DTI is 65%.

Our policy notes:

The Society does not have a maximum debt to income ratio.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Ground Rent (as % of Property Value/Purchase Price)

Our standard acceptability

Fixed Amount (Not percentage based)

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a maximum threshold, and if so what it is, that the ground rent on a leasehold property cannot exceed measured against the property value on Buy to Let applications. For example, Applicant 'A' is purchasing a leasehold flat valued at £100,000 that has a ground rent payable annually of £100. This ground rent equates to 0.1% of the property value. Lender 'A' has no maximum threshold on ground rents and therefor Applicant 'A' is able to proceed with a mortgage application on this property.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider properties where the ground rent exceeds £250 outside Greater London or £1,000 inside Greater London.

Last updated:

02 September 2021

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum length of time of assured shorthold tenancy (AST)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of months we specify is required on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)

Our policy notes:

The Society will normally expect ASTs to be for no more than 12 months.

Our outside policy allowances:

Potentially the Society could accept up to three years although ASTs above 12 months should be referred for agreement prior to submission of an application.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Loan Size (80% LTV)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum potential loan size we can consider lending at 80% loan to value or less. Be aware that this relates to the maximum and other factors may reduce this maximum such as property type etc.

Our policy notes:

The Society won't lend above 75% LTV on buy to lets

Last updated:

12 February 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Loan to Value (LTV)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

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

Our policy notes:

The Society will lend up to 75% LTV.

Last updated:

30 January 2025

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum LTV across the whole portfolio

Our standard acceptability

No Maximum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we specify a maximum LTV of all properties owned by the applicants across their entire portfolio. This includes mortgages held with the lender and group and all other mortgages held with other lenders.

Our policy notes:

The Society has no maximum LTV across the rest of the portfolio. Only a maximum LTV that applies to the properties being brought to FBS which will vary. Please refer any enquiries.

Last updated:

03 August 2023

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Mortgage Arrears in last 24 Months

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an applicant who has mortgage arrears in the past 2 years and if so what is the maximum number of missed payments in the past 2 years that can be accepted.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider applicants with any mortgage arrears in the previous 24 months.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum number of applicants allowed

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

The maximum number of applicants able to go on a Buy to Let mortgage application.

Our policy notes:

We can consider applications for up to four applicants.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Number of CCJs (Satisfied)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with previously satisfied CCJs and if so what the maximum allowable number registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously satisfied CCJs in the past 6 years and Lender 'A' says the maximum number they will allow is 2 registered on the applicants credit file. Therefore applicant 'A' would be unable to apply for a mortgage with Lender 'A' at this time. Other factors may also be factored in such as (but no limited to) total value and other adverse credit.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applicants with up to one satisfied CCJ.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Number of CCJs (Unsatisfied)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with unsatisfied CCJs and if so what the maximum allowable number registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously unsatisfied CCJs in the past 6 years and Lender 'A' says the maximum number they will allow is 2 registered on the applicants credit file. Therefore applicant 'A' would be unable to apply for a mortgage with Lender 'A' at this time. Other factors may also be factored in such as (but no limited to) total value and other adverse credit.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider applicants with unsatisfied CCJs.

Last updated:

29 September 2023

Check affordability Contact your BDM Illustration request

Maximum Number of Defaults (Satisfied)

Our standard acceptability

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with previously satisfied Defaults and if so what the maximum allowable number registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously satisfied Defaults in the past 6 years and Lender 'A' says the maximum number they will allow is 2 registered on the applicants credit file. Therefore applicant 'A' would be unable to apply for a mortgage with Lender 'A' at this time. Other factors may also be factored in such as (but no limited to) total value and other adverse credit.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applicants with up to 1 satisfied Defaults relating to a utility or communications supplier.

Last updated:

22 November 2019

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:

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