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Lending criteria.

We can help with all types of cases, so check our lending criteria for the latest guidelines.

Our criteria is split into residential and buy to let, so use the options below to find the criteria you need.

Family assist 100% mortgages

Indicates if we can potentially consider Family assist 100% mortgages

We will not consider Family assist 100% mortgages

Financial Associates with Adverse

Indicates if we can potentially accept residential applications from an applicant who is financially associated with someone who has adverse credit.

We will not accept applicants that are financially associated with persons that have adverse credit.

First Home Fund (Shared Equity Scheme – Scotland Only)

Indicates if we can accept an application on the First Home Fund shared equity scheme

We are unable to accept applications on the First Home Fund shared equity scheme

Flat/Maisonette Maximum LTV (New Build)

Indicates the maximum potential loan to value (LTV) we can accept where the property type is a NEW BUILD flat or NEW BUILD maisonette.

We can accept applications up to 75% LTV. For New Build flats we lend up to 75% LTV in Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambs, Herts and London.

Flat/Maisonette Maximum LTV (Standard)

Indicates the maximum potential loan to value (LTV) we can accept where the property type is a flat or maisonette and it is NOT considered a new build.

We accept up to 95% LTV on flats and maisonettes (75% for new build) New build flats are capped at 75% and area restricted: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and London. Leasehold only

Flying Freehold: Maximum acceptable percentage of the gross floor area

Indicates the maximum percentage of gross floor area the flying freehold part covers that can be considered by us

We may be able to consider properties with Flying Freeholds that have less than 25% of the total gross floor area of the proposed security. Please contact the Business Development Team to discuss further

Foreign Nationals (Living Overseas)

Indicates if we can potentially consider applications from foreign nationals living overseas who wish to obtain a residential mortgage here in the UK. For example, a Chinese applicant who does not live or work in the UK who wants to purchase property here in the UK on a residential basis as he wants a residence in the UK (perhaps for his family to reside).

Suffolk Building Society does not lend to Foreign Nationals living overseas.

Foreign Nationals (with indefinite leave to remain)

Indicates if we are potentially able to accept applications from foreign nationals that DO HAVE indefinite leave to remain.

We are able to accept application from Foreign Nationals (with indefinite leave to remain) on standard criteria and products

Foreign Nationals (WITHOUT indefinite leave to remain)

Indicates if we are potentially able to accept applications from foreign nationals that DO NOT have indefinite leave to remain.

We can consider Non-UK Nationals at a maximum LTV 80%. Your applicant must:

Have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of two years (evidenced through passport stamp or other immigration documentation)
Have a valid UK work permit/visa (with at least 2 years left to run until expiry)
Been working in the UK for a minimum of 2 years
Employed applicants only and subject to UK tax
Hold a UK Current Account.

Because of the potential short term nature of residency, non-UK nationals will be assessed on an individual basis, the applicant(s) should be of a professional standing and working in one of the following sectors – Education, Healthcare, Finance & Banking, IT, Legal, Marketing Professionals, Science Research & Development, Energy Sector and Construction Industry Professionals (Not Trades) e.g. Architects. Applicants must have a minimum deposit of 20% (Gifted deposits are not acceptable). Consideration will be given to employment type and potential length of stay within the UK. For EU, EEA (Including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens, evidence that they have successfully applied for pre-settled will be accepted. For applications with pre-settled status, these will be subject to a maximum LTV of 80% and the criteria detailed above. Irish Citizens do not need a residence document as they have the right to reside and applications from Irish Nationals should be assessed on normal underwriting terms.

Please note: Where the applicant has been granted permanent rights to reside or Settled status (with permanent Leave to Remain) these are acceptable under our normal Underwriting Criteria – a copy of their passport confirming their permanent status or a letter from the Home Office should be retained on the mortgage file.