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.
0
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can consider residential applications from 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
1
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can consider residential 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 Default that relate to a utility or communication supplier.
Last updated:21 November 2019
0
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can consider residential applications from 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
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:03 July 2017
4
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum number of stories we can consider when lending on high rise flats.
Our policy notes:The maximum number of floors we can consider is four stories although we can consider lending on flats in blocks with more floors but these should be referred individually before application submission.
We can consider lending on properties five stories and above but these need to be referred.
06 November 2018
5
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum number of storeys we can consider when lending on flats when there is no lift access.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society will only consider flats with no lift access up to five storeys
Last updated:16 September 2020
40
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum term a 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.
03 May 2022
No Maximum
Criteria definition:This criteria indicates if we offer Retirement Interest Only (RIO) mortgages and if so what is the maximum term for Retirement Interest Only (RIO) applications. Lenders do not have to set a fixed term for the mortgage and so the repayment date can be when the borrower dies or goes into care, as with Lifetime Mortgages.
Family Building Society does not have a maximum term. Please see our minimum and maximum age policy.
Last updated:03 March 2020
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept residential 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:Family Building Society will not consider applicants with any unsecured arrears in the previous 24 months.
Last updated:09 September 2019
500
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider residential 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.
Last updated:07 November 2019
No Maximum
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can consider residential 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:04 November 2021
500
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider residential 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 that relate to a utility or communications supplier.
Last updated:21 November 2019
0
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider residential 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
No Minimum
Criteria definition:Indicates if we have a minimum income requirement for residential mortgage applications and if so what it is.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society does not have a minimum income requirement.
Last updated:31 January 2018
6
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can consider income from secondary employment and if so what is the minimum requirement (in MONTHS) that the applicant must have held the position for.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society can consider applicants secondary employment although we usually only take 50% of any second job income.
Last updated:05 June 2025
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
20 April 2017
45000
Criteria definition:This criteria indicates if we offer Retirement Interest Only (RIO) mortgages and if so what the minimum loan requirement for Retirement Interest Only (RIO) applications is.
Our policy notes:The Society's minimum loan for RIO mortgages is the same as standard mortgages.
Last updated:03 March 2020
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.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society won't lend on ex-local authority flats.
Last updated:18 September 2019
0
Criteria definition:Indicates the minimum period (in months) any background properties that are Let or to be Let must have been Let for before they can potentially be discounted from a commitment point of view for affordability purposes.
Our policy notes:We do not have a minimum period a background property has to be let before it can be ignored as long as it is provably self-financing.
Last updated:14 May 2026
75000
Criteria definition:Indicates if we have a minimum property value we require for new applications.
Our policy notes:Our minimum property value is £75,000.
29 April 2026
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