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.
Our standard acceptability
89
Criteria definition:
Indicates the maximum age we can accept an applicant to be at the time of an application to be considered for a Buy to Let application.
Our policy notes:
The maximum age of each applicant should be no greater than 89 years old. Our maximum term at this age would be 5 years.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
75
Criteria definition:
Indicates the maximum loan to value (LTV) a Buy to Let we can accept where the remortgage purpose is a simple balance swap (no additional monies being raised).
Our policy notes:
The Society will lend up to 75% LTV although we will use a reduced rental calculation for £ for £ remortgages
Last updated:
12 February 2025
Our standard acceptability
36
Criteria definition:
This is the required number of months we specify a client has to have had a UK address history for.
Our policy notes:
We require a three year UK address history.
Our outside policy allowances:
We can consider applications from UK expatriates abroad without a three year UK address history. Please refer to the acceptable list of countries expatriates can be resident in
Last updated:
04 July 2025
Our standard acceptability
Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from an advisor wishing to apply for his or her own mortgage.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society can accept applications from advisors applying for their own mortgage.
Last updated:
07 November 2019
Our standard acceptability
94
Criteria definition:
Indicates the absolute maximum age we will lend to.
Our policy notes:
This is the maximum age based on an 89 year old applying for a mortgage. The actual term for other ages depends on the age at application please refer to the Maximum Mortgage Term Guidelines
Last updated:
04 July 2025
Our standard acceptability
89
Criteria definition:
Specifies the maximum age we can potentially consider on a but to let application for a self employed borrower
Our policy notes:
The minimum term the Society can consider on a Buy To Let application is five years. Therefore, our maximum age is 90 at the point of application.
Last updated:
09 December 2024
Our standard acceptability
18
Criteria definition:
The minimum age we will accept when assessing an applicant.
Our policy notes:
The minimum age of each applicant must be 18.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we will consider a buy to let application for an applicant who is not on the electoral register
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society can consider an applicant who is not on electoral register
Last updated:
03 August 2022
Our standard acceptability
No
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we allow borrowers to add the arrangement fee (where one is payable) to the mortgage advance where this will mean the max lending policy loan to value will be exceeded.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society does not allow fees to be added where it means the lending loan to value limits will be exceeded.
Last updated:
09 February 2024
Our standard acceptability
No
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we allow borrowers to add the arrangement fee (where one is payable) to the mortgage advance where this will mean the product loan to value will be exceeded.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society does not allow fees to be added where it means the product loan to value limits will be exceeded.
Last updated:
09 February 2024
Our standard acceptability
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially accept applicants that have an arrangement to pay registered on their credit file on Buy to Let applications.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society will not consider applicants that have an arrangement to pay registered on their credit file.
Last updated:
07 November 2019
Our standard acceptability
Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially accept Buy to Let applications from applicants that have a history of mortgage or secured loan arrears.
Our policy notes:
Any existing mortgage or secured loan must be up to date at the time of application. A maximum of one month’s arrears within the last 12 months will be allowed, provided the account is currently up to date. An explanation of any arrears will be required.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we are able to potentially accept Buy to Let applications where one or more applicant(s) has a history of unsecured loan arrears.
Our policy notes:
Any existing mortgage/rent/loan must be up to date at the time of application. A maximum of one month’s arrears within the last 12 months will be allowed, provided the account is currently up to date. An explanation of any arrears will be required.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Back to back is typically where the vendor has owned the property for less than six months, or remortgages where they've owned the property for less than six months.
Back to Back (Remortgage - Bridging) indicates if we will accept applications where the customer has funded the purchase from a bridging loan and now wish to mortgage the property.
Our policy notes:
We normally expect properties to have been owned at least 6 months.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Back to back is typically where the vendor has owned the property for less than six months, or remortgages where they've owned the property for less than six months.
Back to back (Remortgage - Customer Funded) indicates if a we will accept applications where the customer has funded the purchase from their own funds and now wish to mortgage the property with a Buy to Let mortgage typically within 6 months of ownership. For example Josh recently purchased a property at auction and now wants to remortgage the property to release funds.
Our policy notes:
The property must be owned at least six months in this situation.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
Acceptable
Criteria definition:
Back to back (Remortgage - Inherited) indicates if we can accept applications where the customer has inherited a property and now wish to mortgage it on a Buy to Let basis typically within 6 months of ownership.
Our policy notes:
We will consider remortgages where an inherited property has been owned for less than 6 months.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
No
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially consider applicants earned income in addition to the rental income for a property when calculating the maximum mortgage that can be borrowed.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society will not consider earned income in affordability assessment where the UK property is to be a Buy to let.
Last updated:
06 November 2018
Our standard acceptability
Yes
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially extend a clients mortgage offer beyond the standard expiry.
Our policy notes:
Documentation and the valuation may need to be updated if these items exceed six months old.
Last updated:
31 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
No
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially use the actual rent received from an existing tenant when it is higher than the valuer's estimate. For example, this situation could arise on remortgage applications where, in the valuer's opinion, the market rent is lower than what the landlord is currently receiving.
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society will not use the current rent received from the current tenant for affordability assessment when it exceeds the valuers estimate.
Last updated:
22 May 2018
Our standard acceptability
No
Criteria definition:
Indicates if we can potentially use the valuer's estimate when assessing loan affordability even if the actual rent being received is less than the estimate. For example, this situation could arise on remortgage applications where the existing tenant is paying below the market estimate (based on the valuer's rental valuation).
Our policy notes:
Family Building Society will use actual rent if lower than the valuers estimate
Last updated:
22 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