A broker's guide to Family Building Society for intermediaries

Learn how Family Building Society for Intermediaries can help mortgage brokers place complex cases, support niche clients, and strengthen relationships.

By Kath Villamayor

09 Apr 2026

Contents

Introduction to Family Building Society for intermediaries
A flexible approach to lending
Tools and support for mortgage brokers
Lending criteria for owner occupier mortgages
Family Building Society for intermediaries' mortgage options
Working with Family Building Society for intermediaries

Working with the right mortgage lender can make a real difference to how you support your clients. Some lenders focus on standard cases, while others are built for more complex situations. This is where Family Building Society for intermediaries stands out.

In this guide, Mortgage Introducer will explore Family Building Society for intermediaries' lending approach and product range. We'll also talk about their criteria so you can decide if they are a good fit for your clients.

Introduction to Family Building Society for intermediaries

Family Building Society for intermediaries is a specialist lender based in Epsom, Surrey. The lender was launched as a brand in 2014, operating as a trading name of the National Counties Building Society.

The National Counties Building Society is already an established building society authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). It is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

As for the Family Building Society, it was created to offer solutions for borrowers who are often overlooked by mainstream lenders. This includes people with non-standard income, family-supported purchases, and later life borrowing needs.

Family Building Society for intermediaries also caters to clients such as:

first-time buyers
older borrowers
self-employed applicants
landlords
expats

One of their core strengths is their approach to underwriting. Every application is reviewed by a real person. This allows them to look beyond automated checks and consider each case on its own merits.

Check out the top mortgage intermediaries in the UK when you read this linked article!

A flexible approach to lending

Family Building Society for intermediaries does not rely on automated credit scoring. Instead, they use manual underwriting to assess each application. This allows them to consider the full picture when reviewing your clients' circumstances.

This approach can help when your clients have been declined elsewhere. It also works well for cases that fall outside standard lending rules. Family Building Society for intermediaries looks at affordability rather than strict income multiples. While a 4.5 income multiple is used as a guide, decisions are based on their affordability calculations. This gives more flexibility in how income is assessed.

Tools and support for mortgage brokers

Family Building Society provides several tools to help mortgage brokers manage applications. These include their Mortgage Hub, where cases can be submitted and tracked online. It also allows document uploads and updates.

There is also a criteria checker that helps answer common questions. This can speed up the process when assessing whether a case fits their lending policy. It helps mortgage brokers make quicker decisions.

In addition, they offer four calculators:

1. Family Mortgage Repayment Calculator

This gives your clients their estimated monthly repayments for the Family Mortgage. It is based on borrowing up to 100% LTV with family providing 20% security through savings or property.

2. Buy to Let Calculator

This provides an estimate of how much your clients might be able to borrow for buy to let. It considers rental income, landlord experience, and background.

3. Maximum Term Calculator

This shows the maximum mortgage term available based on your clients' age. This is useful when working with older borrowers or planning longer terms.

4. Affordability Calculator

This helps you understand how much your clients might be able to borrow for owner occupier mortgages. It is based on affordability data and overall financial position.

Lending criteria for owner occupier mortgages

Family Building Society for intermediaries' requirements are clear but still allow room for flexibility in how applications are assessed:

Residency: Your clients must have at least three years of UK address history. This is a standard requirement for owner occupier applications. It helps establish a consistent record for the lender to review.
Age limits: The maximum age at application is 89, with a shorter term available at that stage. At the end of the mortgage term, lending can go up to age 95 for repayment mortgages.
Mortgage term: The maximum mortgage term is 40 years, but this depends on the age of the oldest applicant. The minimum term is five years, and the minimum loan size is £45,000. These limits help define the range of cases the lender can support.
Income: Borrowers' income that is made up mainly of benefits will not be accepted. However, other income sources are assessed using their affordability model. This allows for a more detailed review of how your clients can manage repayments.

Family Building Society for intermediaries' mortgage options

Check out some of their mortgage offerings below:

1. Core owner occupier mortgage range

Family Building Society offers a core range of purchase and remortgage products. These are available on both fixed and variable rates. The maximum loan to value (LTV) for this range is 80%.

These products are suitable for your clients who do not need a specialist solution. However, they still benefit from the lender's flexible underwriting approach. This makes the core range more adaptable than many high street options.

The core range is available up to age 95, depending on the mortgage term. This can be useful when working with older borrowers who still meet affordability requirements. It also supports longer-term planning for your clients.

2. Family mortgage

The Family Mortgage allows your clients to buy a property with little or no deposit. Instead of gifting money, family members provide security for the loan. This can be done through savings or equity in their own property.

The total security must equal 20% of the property value. This can be a mix of savings and property equity. The borrower can also add a deposit if they wish, but it is not required.

This product allows borrowing up to 100% LTV. It can help your clients who struggle to save for a deposit but have family support available. It also gives families a structured way to assist without transferring funds permanently.

3. Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgages

The Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) product is another way to support affordability. It allows up to four applicants on a mortgage, but only one or two will own the property. The remaining applicants support the loan with their income.

This setup is useful for a range of scenarios. It can help younger borrowers who need support, as well as older borrowers who want to remain in their homes. It also works well for families who want to combine their income.

The maximum LTV is 90% for owner occupier cases. For buy to let, it is 75% depending on the product. This structure allows mortgage brokers to place cases that might not fit standard affordability models.

4. Later life lending options

Family Building Society has a strong focus on later life lending. This includes mortgages for borrowers approaching or already in retirement. Their criteria allow for a more flexible approach to age and income.

Applications are accepted up to age 89. At the end of the term, borrowing can extend to age 95 for repayment mortgages. This makes them a strong option for older borrowers.

Income is assessed in a flexible way. Earned income can be considered up to age 70 or 75 depending on the role. Beyond that, pension income, investments, and rental income can also be used.

5. Retirement interest-only mortgages

This mortgage product is designed for borrowers aged 55 and over. It offers an alternative to equity release products. Borrowers can make monthly interest payments with no set end date.

The loan is repaid when a major life event occurs. This usually means moving into long-term care or passing away. The maximum LTV for this product is 50%.

This option can suit your clients who want to release funds without committing to a fixed term. It also allows them to remain in their home while managing monthly payments.

6. Expat mortgage options

Family Building Society accepts applications from expats in over 40 countries. This includes UK nationals working abroad and foreign nationals in the UK. They also consider applicants paid in foreign currency.

Their expat mortgages are available on an interest-only basis. This can suit your clients who have income structures linked to overseas employment. It also provides flexibility for property investment.

This area can be difficult with many lenders. Having an option like this allows mortgage brokers to support a wider range of cases. It also opens opportunities for international borrowers.

Working with Family Building Society for intermediaries

Family Building Society for intermediaries is built around flexibility and personal assessment. Their manual underwriting approach allows mortgage brokers to present cases in more detail. This can be useful when standard lenders are not suitable.

Their product range covers a wide range of borrower types. From family-assisted purchases to later life lending, they offer solutions for different stages of life. This makes them a strong option for various client needs.

If you are working with complex or non-standard cases, they are worth considering. Their focus on individual circumstances can help you place cases that might otherwise be declined.

But if you want to work with other mortgage lenders, we have other guides for those that are broker-centric. Check out some of them below:

You can find more broker-focused mortgage lenders on our Guides page.

A broker's guide to Family Building Society for intermediaries

Introduction to Family Building Society for intermediaries

A flexible approach to lending