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
Maximum Number of CCJs (Unsatisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

0

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

Maximum Number of Defaults (Satisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

1

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

Maximum Number of Defaults (Unsatisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

0

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with unsatisfied Defaults and if so what the maximum allowable number registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously unsatisfied 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 will not consider applicants with unsatisfied Defaults.

Last updated:

23 March 2023

Maximum number of rental properties MORTGAGED with ALL lenders
Our standard acceptability:

No Maximum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if there is a maximum number of mortgaged Buy to Let properties and if so how many, an applicant can have in the background. 

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society has no maximum limit to the number of Buy to Let mortgages applicants hold with other lenders.

Last updated:

29 November 2018

Maximum number of storeys considered for lending on ex local authority flats
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of stories we can consider when lending on ex local authority high rise flats.

Our policy notes:

We do not lend on ex-local authority flats/maisonettes.

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Maximum number of storeys considered for lending on flats
Our standard acceptability:

10

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of storeys we can consider when lending on high rise flats.

Our policy notes:

We will end on flats up to 10 storeys as standard (subject to a clear EWS1 report where required).

Last updated:

21 August 2026

Maximum number of students considered on one APT
Our standard acceptability:

We do not accept student tenants

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of students we can consider on a single APT

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not accept students Lets

Last updated:

14 May 2026

Maximum number of tenants on an assured periodic tenancy (APT)
Our standard acceptability:

6

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum number of tenants permitted by us on a single Assured Periodic Tenancy

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applications where there are no more than 4 tenants on the Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) for standard Buy to Let applications.

For HMO applications, there must be no more than 6 tenants.

Last updated:

05 August 2026

Maximum Term (Years)
Our standard acceptability:

40

Criteria definition:

Indicates the maximum term a Buy to Let mortgage can be taken over.

Our policy notes:

Our maximum term is 40 years. However, the actual maximum term is linked to the oldest applicant's age. Please refer to our website for more information.

Last updated:

03 May 2022

Maximum Unsecured Arrears in last 24 Months
Our standard acceptability:

3

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an applicant who has unsecured 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:

Any unsecured loan must be up to date at the time of application. A maximum of three month’s arrears within the last 24 months will be allowed, provided the account is currently up to date. An explanation of any arrears will be required.

Cannot have missed more than 2 months consecutively.

Last updated:

05 August 2026

Maximum Value of CCJs (Satisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

500

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with previously satisfied CCJs and if so what the maximum allowable value of all registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously satisfied CCJs in the past 6 years totaling £1,230 and Lender 'A' says the maximum value they will allow is £500 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 number registered and other adverse credit registered against the applicant.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applicants with satisfied CCJs up to a maximum value of £500.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Maximum Value of CCJs (Unsatisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

0

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with unsatisfied CCJs and if so what the maximum allowable value of all registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 unsatisfied CCJs in the past 6 years totaling £1,230 and Lender 'A' says the maximum value they will allow is £500 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 number registered and other adverse credit registered against the applicant.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider applicants with unsatisfied CCJs.

Last updated:

28 January 2026

Maximum Value of Defaults (Satisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

500

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with previously satisfied Defaults and if so what the maximum allowable value of all registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 previously satisfied Defaults in the past 6 years totaling £1,230 and Lender 'A' says the maximum value they will allow is £500 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 number registered and other adverse credit registered against the applicant.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can consider applicants with satisfied Defaults up to a maximum value of £500 relating to utilities or communications suppliers.

Last updated:

22 November 2019

Maximum Value of Defaults (Unsatisfied)
Our standard acceptability:

0

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider Buy to Let applications from applicants with unsatisfied Defaults and if so what the maximum allowable value of all registered against an applicant is. For example, applicant 'A' has 3 unsatisfied Defaults in the past 6 years totaling £1,230 and Lender 'A' says the maximum value they will allow is £500 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 number registered and other adverse credit registered against the applicant.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not consider applicants with unsatisfied Defaults.

Last updated:

23 March 2023

Minimum Income Requirement
Our standard acceptability:

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a minimum income requirement for Buy to Let applications and if so what it is.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society has no minimum income requirement.

Last updated:

14 December 2018

Minimum Landlord Experience (in MONTHS)
Our standard acceptability:

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we require a minimum amount of experience (IN MONTHS) when lending on Buy to Let applications

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society has no minimum experience requirement for applicants.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Minimum Length of Time Employed (in MONTHS)
Our standard acceptability:

No Minimum

Criteria definition:

Specifies if there is a minimum number of months (if so how many) employed applicants must have been continuously employed on Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society has no minimum length of time applicants need to have been in continuous employment.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Minimum Loan Size
Our standard acceptability:

45000

Criteria definition:

Indicates the minimum loan size (if there is one) that we accept for new applications.

Our policy notes:

Our minimum loan is £45,000

Last updated:

31 May 2018

Minimum Percentage of Properties under Private Ownership on Ex-Local Authority Blocks of Flats
Our standard acceptability:

We do not lend on Ex Local Authority Flats

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on a ex-local authority flat/apartments and if so is there a minimum percentage in the block that must be privately owned when assessing Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

We do not lend on ex-local authority flats.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Minimum Property Value for standard Buy to Let lending
Our standard acceptability:

75000

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we have a minimum property value they require for new Buy to Let applications.

Our policy notes:

Our minimum property value is £75,000.

Last updated:

29 April 2026

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