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
Property Type: Flat above commercial offices
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept flats that are above commercial offices.

Our policy notes:

Prestige locations only. Properties should have separate title and access. Valuer to confirm the property is readily saleable.

Last updated:

03 July 2017

Property Type: Flat above commercial pub
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept flats that are above a pub.

Our policy notes:

We would not consider this type of property.

Last updated:

03 July 2017

Property Type: Flat above shop (not food outlet)
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially accept flats above a shop that is NOT a food outlet.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on flats/apartments that are above a shop that is not a food outlet.

Last updated:

07 November 2018

Property Type: Freehold flats and maisonettes
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept a flat or maisonette where the tenure is freehold.

Our policy notes:

Freehold flats/maisonettes are not acceptable.

Last updated:

20 April 2017

Property Type: Grade 1 Listed Building
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on property classified as a Grade 1 Listed Building. Categories of listed buildings in England & Wales: Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest. Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II: buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society does not lend on properties that are classified as a Grade 1 Listed Building.

Last updated:

10 May 2018

Property Type: Grade 2 Listed Building
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on property classified as a Grade 2 Listed Building. Categories of listed buildings in England & Wales: Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest. Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II: buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on properties that are classified as a Grade 2 Listed Building.

Last updated:

10 May 2018

Property Type: Grade 2* Listed Building
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially consider lending on property classified as a Grade 2* Listed Building. Categories of listed buildings in England & Wales: Grade I: buildings of exceptional interest. Grade II*: particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II: buildings that are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society can potentially lend on properties that are classified as a Grade 2* Listed Building.

Last updated:

10 May 2018

Property Type: Mobile homes and houseboats
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are potentially able to lend on mobile homes and houseboats.

Our policy notes:

We do not lend on houseboats or mobile homes.

Last updated:

20 April 2017

Property Type: Studio flat
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on studio flats.

Our policy notes:

We may consider some applications on an exceptional basis where the property is of suitable quality, readily marketable, and acceptable to the valuer and underwriter. Each case will be assessed individually, and acceptance is not guaranteed.

Last updated:

14 May 2026

Property Usage: Acceptable commercial limit
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates the limit we can potentially accept where the property usage has an element of commercial use.

Our policy notes:

These are not acceptable.

Last updated:

17 July 2017

Property Usage: Agricultural restrictions
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept properties that have agricultural restrictions.

Our policy notes:

We would not lend on a property with an agricultural restriction.

Last updated:

17 July 2017

Property Usage: Bed and Breakfast
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on residential applications for properties that are part used as a B&B (Bed and Breakfast).

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on residential properties that will continue to be used as a B&B.

Last updated:

09 September 2019

Property Usage: Empty Property (Unoccupied)
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially lend on residential applications for properties that will be empty/unoccupied following completion.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties that will remain unoccupied after completion.

Last updated:

07 November 2019

Property Usage: Holiday/Second Home
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept applications on properties that are to be used as a second or holiday home.

Our policy notes:

We will lend on a second home or holiday home with occasional holiday letting to a maximum of 70% LTV.

Last updated:

20 February 2020

Property Usage: Holiday/Second Home maximum LTV
Our standard acceptability:

70

Criteria definition:

If we lend on holiday/second homes, specifies what is the maximum loan to value we can lend when the property usage is second or holiday home.

Our policy notes:

We will lend on second homes or holiday homes.

Last updated:

03 July 2017

Property Usage: Home for dependant
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept applications on properties that are classed as a home for a dependant.

Our policy notes:

These are acceptable on normal terms.

Last updated:

11 July 2017

Property Usage: Home for dependant maximum LTV
Our standard acceptability:

80

Criteria definition:

If we lend on homes for dependants, indicates the maximum loan to value (LTV) we can consider.

Our policy notes:

These are acceptable up to 80% LTV which is our normal maximum.

Last updated:

11 July 2017

Property Usage: Live/Work units
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we can potentially accept applications on properties defined as Live/Work units.

Our policy notes:

This type of property is not acceptable.

Last updated:

03 July 2017

Property Usage: Mixed Use Residential / Commercial
Our standard acceptability:

Not Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are able to potentially lend on properties that are classified as mixed use for both residential occupation and commercial use.

Our policy notes:

Family Building Society will not lend on properties that have mixed use commercial/residential.

Last updated:

07 November 2018

Property with acreage
Our standard acceptability:

Acceptable

Criteria definition:

Indicates if we are potentially able to accept properties that have a significant amount of land (properties that have acreage).

Our policy notes:

Care should be taken on properties with large amounts of land.

Such properties may have limited marketability or be subject to agricultural ties.

The Society does not lend on Small Holdings , Farms or those where animals are grazed or have Large Scale Farm buildings.

Please refer to your local BDM to check the properties suitability if required.

Last updated:

14 May 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