Our lending criteria

Below you'll find our mortgage specific lending criteria from Bristol & West Mortgages which you should read together with our general lending criteria.

Check through this information carefully to make sure you're eligible before you apply.

Self Certification Mortgages

Minimum Loan:

£25,001

Maximum Loan:

£500,000

Loan Tiers:

90% maximum or product maximum if different

Age:

21 (First time buyers accepted)

Residency:

Must have resided in the UK for past 3 years

Term:

Maximum: To normal retirement age. Minimum: 10 years (shorter terms considered by exception where we are satisfied that ability to pay exists)

Employment Status / Minimum Income:

Self Employed - for at least one year. Employed - more than 6 months continuous employment (not necessarily the same employer). £10,000 sole applicants, £15,000 joint applicants

Overpayments:

You can pay up to 10% of the mortgage balance each year without incurring any early repayment or administration charges. Subject to a minimum payment of £2,000 based on the outstanding balance as at the previous 31st March each year.

Income Multiples:

4.5 x main income plus 1 x second allowable income or 4 x joint income if greater

Available for:

Purchase, including first time buyers. Remortgage, including capital raising (not for speculative purposes - new business startups, expansions or to consolidate business debts)

Property:

We accept ex-Local Authority houses. We do not accept shared equity, vendor's deposit schemes, right to buys, studio flats or properties in mixed user buildings. Flats in blocks of more than ten storeys are restricted to a maximum of 75% LTV. Flats in converted office blocks, speculatively converted ex-Local Authority blocks, ex-local authority blocks of flats with open decking and ex-Local Authority/Public Sector flats where the value is less than £90,000 or the block exceeds 4 storeys in height are not accepted.

Higher Lending Charge:

Please note that Higher Lending Charges do not apply to Self Certification Mortgages

Free Legals for Remortgagers:

If your product is described as ‘No legal fees (for remortgagers only)’ we will pay the fees for remortgages only via our nominated solicitors. Terms and conditions apply, see our General Lending Criteria for details.