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.
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we are able to potentially accept remortgage applications where a Help to Buy Equity Loan exists and will continue to exist on completion of the remortgage.
Our policy notes:Unfortunately, the Society does not do Help to Buy mortgages.
31 August 2017
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we are able to potentially consider remortgage applications with an element of capital raising where there exists a help to buy equity loan and it will continue to exist on completion of the remortgage.
Our policy notes:Unfortunately, the Society does not do Help to Buy remortgages.
31 August 2017
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can accept Help to Buy Wales applications.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society does not take part in Help to Buy Wales
Last updated:28 April 2026
does not take part in Help to Buy Equity Loan
Criteria definition:Indicates if we will take the 'Equity Loan' portion as a commitment for affordability assessment and if so at what rate of interest is it calculated.
Unfortunately we don't take part in the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme.
23 October 2017
3
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept residential applications from an applicant that is on the CIFAS register and if so, what time must have passed in order for us to potentially accept a new mortgage application from the customer.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society can potentially accept customers that are registered on the CIFAS register. We require the applicant's registration date to be at least 3 Years ago.
Last updated:07 November 2019
80
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum potential loan to value (LTV) we can accept where the property type is a NEW BUILD house/bungalow.
Our policy notes:The maximum LTV we can consider is 80% providing applicants can evidence maintaining a current mortgage or tenancy agreement.
03 July 2017
80
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum potential loan to value (LTV) we can accept where the property type is a house or bungalow and it is NOT considered a new build.
Our policy notes:The maximum LTV we can consider is 80% providing applicants can evidence maintaining an existing mortgage or tenancy agreement.
03 July 2017
Not Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept income where it is primarily made up of benefits. An example of this would be where benefit income exceeds earned income or represents more than 50% of total income.
Our policy notes:We will not accept income from benefits.
22 May 2017
5.3
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum income multiple that cannot be exceeded when assessing how much joint applicants are able to borrow. This is the maximum potential income multiple and should just be used as a guide as other factors may reduce this figure.
Potential to consider up to 5.33x income for our 100% Family Mortgage product, subject to monthly affordability. Cases are typically affordability based and we encourage you to check affordability with our online calculator. For standard mortgages, our maximum income multiple is 4.5. Although, by exception, we can consider going higher. Please contact your local BDM.
14 May 2026
5.3
Criteria definition:Indicates the maximum income multiple that cannot be exceeded when assessing how much single applicants are able to borrow. This is the maximum potential income multiple and should just be used as a guide as other factors may reduce this figure.
Our policy notes:Potential to consider up to 5.33x income for our 100% Family Mortgage product, subject to monthly affordability. Cases are typically affordability based and we encourage you to check affordability with our online calculator. For standard mortgages, our maximum income multiple is 4.5. Although, by exception, we can lend beyond this. Please speak to your BDM.
Last updated:14 May 2026
3
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider borrowers who have had an IVA and if so how many years it must have been satisfied for. An IVA is satisfied when the payment plan has been completed. For example, a home buyer is looking to obtain a mortgage to fund a house purchase but entered into an IVA 6 years ago which consisted of a 5-year plan to repay the agreed amount to their creditors. The plan was successfully completed without any unsatisfactory conduct so their IVA has now been satisfied for 1 year.
IMPORTANT NOTE: An IVA usually stays on the credit file for 6 years from the date it was REGISTERED not from the date it was satisfied which typically occurs 5 years after the date the IVA was entered into (the registered date).
We will accept applications from applicants who have had satisfied IVAs for more than three years and with a satisfactory explanation for the circumstances leading up to the IVA.
20 April 2017
6
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider borrowers who have had an IVA and if so how many years ago it must have been registered. An IVA is registered when a payment plan is agreed with the creditors. For example, a home buyer is looking to obtain a mortgage to fund a house purchase but entered into an IVA 6 years ago which consisted of a 5-year plan to repay the agreed amount to their creditors. The plan was successfully completed without any unsatisfactory conduct so their IVA has now been satisfied for 1 year and was registered 6 years ago.
IMPORTANT NOTE: An IVA usually stays on the credit file for 6 years from the date it was REGISTERED not from the date it was satisfied which typically occurs 5 years after the date the IVA was entered into (the registered date).
We will look at satisfied IVAs only three years from when they are satisfied.
20 April 2017
Acceptable
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially consider an application from an applicant who has previously had an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) registered against them.
This criteria displays if a person who has had an IVA can be considered on a general level but you should read the policy notes and related criteria carefully to dig deeper with regard to your client's specific situation.
We will accept applications from applicants who have had satisfied IVAs for more than three years and with a satisfactory explanation for the circumstances leading up to the IVA.
23 May 2017
No
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 borrowers intention to make periodic lump sum reductions from savings, bonus payments, sale of assets and the like.
Our policy notes:We are unable to accept annual lump sum repayments as an acceptable repayment strategy for an interest only mortgage.
20 April 2017
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 from the proceeds of an existing endowment or ISA.
Our policy notes:For an existing endowment policy a copy of latest statement dated within the last 12 months giving the current projected maturity value. Mortgage must not exceed the value using the middle figure of the three growth rates provided. For an existing ISA a copy of the latest statement, dated within the last 12 months. Value to be assessed at 80% of the figure stated.
23 May 2017
No Minimum
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept interest-only lending and if so do we have a minimum equity requirement for interest-only lending.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society has no minimum equity requirement for interest only lending.
Last updated:10 May 2018
No Minimum
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept interest-only lending and if so do we have a minimum income requirement for interest-only lending.
Our policy notes:Family Building Society has no minimum income requirement for interest only lending.
Last updated:10 May 2018
Yes
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept interest-only lending and if so are there any other acceptable assets that we could potentially accept as an acceptable means of repaying an interest-only mortgage. This does not include the standard repayment method like sale of mortgage property, sale of other property, endowments, ISAs, pensions and the other standard methods of repayment.
Our policy notes:We can potentially accepts interest only where the repayment vehicle is sale of other asset, please refer considered on a case by case scenario
Last updated:14 May 2026
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 intended to be the proceeds from a pension lump sum.
Our policy notes:For existing policies a copy of the latest statement, from within the last 12 months, or an illustration, from the company providing the policy, giving the final maturity value. 100% of the value can be utilised taking into account any tax implications and deductions that the pension provider may make.
Last updated:23 May 2017
No
Criteria definition:Indicates if we can potentially accept interest-only lending and if so are we able to potentially accept mortgage applications on an interest-only basis where there is no repayment method (pure interest only).
Our policy notes:We do not accept this repayment type.
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