Accord 3d logo

Lending criteria

Tenure

Acceptable Tenure:  Freehold and leasehold in England and Wales (freehold flats are not acceptable)  
Acceptable Tenure in Scotland:   Absolute and Outright Ownership  (houses and flats) 


Leasehold and ground rent

  • There should be at least 85 years unexpired lease remaining at the start of the mortgage application. 
  • There cannot be a provision that the lease is forfeit if the lessee becomes bankrupt.
  • Any new leases from 30th  June 2022 must not charge more than a nominal amount for ground rent, such as £1 annually - this includes voluntarily extended leases. 
  • Maximum initial ground rent to be no higher than £1,000 per annum
  • Ground rent reviews to be a minimum of 21 years from commencement of the lease, and at no more frequent intervals thereafter
  • Increases in ground rent, at review, must be limited to no more than the higher of:
    • a doubling of the rent payable immediately prior to the review or,
    • a figure increased in accordance with the percentage change in RPI/CPI over the previous review period


Freehold - Estate rent-charge/freehold service charge 

Maximum initial estate rent-charge/service charge be no higher than £500 per annum in present value and must be no more than double every 25 years.