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 larger variety of life stages and circumstances for your clients than many other lender. 

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
Owner Occupier Criteria
Interest only: Sale of other unencumbered property

Our standard acceptability

Yes

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept interest-only lending and if so are we able to accept interest-only applications where the repayment vehicle is the sale of another mortgage-free property (Not the security property).

Our policy notes:

Property details and proof of ownership evidence of any outstanding mortgage and estimate of value obtained via such sources such as “Zoopla”, “Rightmove” or an estate agents estimated sale value and placed on the mortgage file. 100% of any equity held. Properties solely owned by the applicants only will be considered.

Last updated:

23 May 2017

Inter-family sales (no discount)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can consider an inter-family application with no discount being offered

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially consider an application from an inter-family sale with no discount being offered

Last updated:

15 January 2021

Investment Income: Investment Income (not rent)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept Investment Income (not rent) as an acceptable source of income for affordability purposes.

Our policy notes:

This source of income is acceptable but the level of the income taken is assessed on a case by case basis.

Last updated:

30 October 2023

Investment Income: Rental Income (from mortgage free property)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept Rental Income (from a mortgage-free property) as an acceptable source of income for affordability purposes.

Our policy notes:

100% of rental income that is declared to HMRC.

Last updated:

08 May 2017

Investment Income: Rental Income (from mortgaged property)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept Rental Income (from a mortgaged property) as an acceptable source of income for affordability purposes.

Our policy notes:

We would assess this sort of income in the same way as we would all self-employed income which is via accounts or SA302s.

Last updated:

30 March 2021

Investment Income: Trust Income

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can accept Trust Income as an acceptable source of income for affordability purposes.

Our policy notes:

We can accept income from a trust but will require a chartered/certified accountant's confirmation of the income.

Last updated:

03 July 2017

Japanese Knotweed

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Specifies if we are able to potentially accept applications where there is evidence of Japanese knotweed at the property or near the property.

Our policy notes:

Please refer these for assessment on a case by case basis. Japanese Knotweed is an invasive plant species and can cause damage to properties if left untreated. Where a valuation report identifys that Japanese Knotweed is present a program of eradication may be required before the Society can lend

Last updated:

25 November 2024

Joint application sole occupier

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we will accept joint applications where one applicant will NOT reside in the property. For example, a father and son are looking to buy a property together that only the son will live in.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept applications on a joint application sole occupier basis subject to underwriter referral.

Last updated:

17 April 2019

Joint application sole proprietor

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we will accept applications from joint borrowers where only ONE applicant will OWN the property. A good example would be a close family member who wants to help increase the borrowing capacity.

Our policy notes:

We can accept applications where one applicant only is to be an owner and up to two other applicants are to occupy the property. Each application needs to be referred for consideration prior to submission. We would consider applications where adult children wish to use their parents, sibling’s, parents’ siblings or grandparents to support their income to secure the loan they need but that in time (approximately five years) the likelihood is their income will grow sufficiently to afford the mortgage in their own right. The other scenario is where an elderly parent needs the support of their son/daughter so secure a mortgage. Please refer the scenario to us for consideration before submitting an application.

Last updated:

23 January 2025

Late Payments (Not Missed)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider applications from applicants who have a history of late payments (NOT REGISTERED AS MISSED) on any credit agreements they hold.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept applicants with previous 'Late Payments'.

Last updated:

07 November 2018

Leasehold Property where No Separate Management Company Exists

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on residential applications for leasehold properties where no separate management company exists.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially consider lending on leasehold properties where no separate management company exists.

Last updated:

25 September 2019

Legal: No search indemnity insurance (purchases)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept ‘no-search indemnity insurance’ for a purchase application

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept ‘no-search indemnity insurance’ for a purchase application

Last updated:

02 August 2021

Legal: No search indemnity insurance (remortgages)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept ‘no-search indemnity insurance’ policy for a remortgage application

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept ‘no-search indemnity insurance’ for a remortgage application

Last updated:

02 August 2021

Legal: Private local authority search (purchases)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept a private local authority search for a purchase application

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept a private local authority search for a purchase application

Last updated:

04 March 2021

Legal: Private local authority search (remortgages)

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept a private local authority search for a remortgage application

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially accept a private local authority search for a remortgage application

Last updated:

04 March 2021

Lending Location: Channel Islands

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on properties located in the Channel Islands.

Our policy notes:

We cannot accept applications for mortgages in Guernsey.

Last updated:

24 August 2017

Lending Location: England

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on properties located in England.

Our policy notes:

We do lend in England

Last updated:

24 August 2017

Lending Location: Isle of Man

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on properties located on the Isle of Man.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on properties on the Isle of Man.

Last updated:

18 August 2017

Lending Location: Isle of Wight

Our standard acceptability

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on properties located on the Isle of Wight

Our policy notes:

We do lend on the Isle of Wight.

Last updated:

24 August 2017

Lending Location: Northern Ireland

Our standard acceptability

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on properties located in Northern Ireland.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on properties in Northern Ireland.

Last updated:

18 August 2017

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

We may record any telephone calls we have with you in the interest of staff training, monitoring customer service or for security purposes.

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