Cumberland Building Society
Building SocietyCumberland Building Society is a Cumbria-based mutual lender offering residential and buy-to-let mortgages, with a strong focus on serving communities across North West England and South West Scotland. Its personal approach and local knowledge make it a trusted choice for homebuyers in the region.
About Cumberland Building Society
Cumberland Building Society was founded in 1850 and has its headquarters in Carlisle. The society serves communities across Cumbria, North West England, and South West Scotland. Cumberland is a mutual with no shareholders, focused on supporting homeownership in its regional communities.
The society offers residential and buy-to-let mortgages with a personal approach and local market knowledge. Cumberland understands the property markets in Cumbria and the borders, including rural and semi-rural areas. The society serves customers through branches and via mortgage brokers.
Cumberland Building Society is regulated by the FCA and PRA and is a member of the Building Societies Association. The society has a reputation for personal service and supporting communities that may be underserved by larger national lenders.
Lending Focus
Cumberland Building Society offers mortgage products across 2 categories including Residential, Buy-to-Let.
Key Features
- Deep local knowledge of the Cumbria and South West Scotland property markets
- Personal mortgage advice available in branch and by appointment
- Buy-to-let products for individual landlords in the region
- Competitive fixed-rate and tracker products with flexible terms
- Manual underwriting for complex or non-standard applications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent local knowledge of Cumbria and South West Scotland property markets
- Personal face-to-face mortgage advice in local branches
- Manual underwriting for complex or non-standard applications
- Community-focused mutual with strong member loyalty
Cons
- –Maximum loan amount capped at £1 million
- –Maximum LTV of 90% — no 95% products available
- –Branch network limited to Cumbria and surrounding areas — not suitable for national coverage
Fees & Charges
- Arrangement Fee
- Fee-free options available; otherwise up to £895
- Valuation Fee
- £200–£1,000 depending on property value
- Early Repayment Charge
- 1–5% during the initial deal period
- Overpayment Allowance
- Up to 10% per year without charge
Mortgage Rates
Rate data coming soon. View rates on Cumberland Building Society
| Product | Initial Rate | Type | Initial Term | Revert Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Year Fixed | TBC | Fixed | 24 months | TBC |
| 5 Year Fixed | TBC | Fixed | 60 months | TBC |
| Tracker | TBC | Variable | 24 months | TBC |
Application Process
- Processing Time
- 3–5 weeks from application to offer
- Online DIP
- No — via broker or branch
- Offer Valid For
- 6 months
Lending Criteria
- Maximum LTV
- 90%
- Max Loan Amount
- £1m
- Min Loan Amount
- £25k
- Rate Types
- fixed, tracker, discount
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cumberland Building Society lend outside of Cumbria?
Cumberland Building Society primarily serves the Cumbria, North Lancashire, and South West Scotland regions. While they may consider properties outside their core area through intermediaries, their focus remains on the local market.
Does Cumberland Building Society offer buy-to-let mortgages?
Yes, Cumberland Building Society offers buy-to-let mortgages for individual landlords, primarily for properties in their core geographical area of Cumbria and surrounding regions.
Can I get face-to-face mortgage advice from Cumberland Building Society?
Yes, Cumberland Building Society prides itself on personal service and offers face-to-face mortgage advice in their branch network and by appointment. This sets them apart from many larger lenders that have reduced in-person services.
Does Cumberland Building Society accept non-standard applications?
Yes, Cumberland Building Society uses manual underwriting, which allows them to consider complex or non-standard applications on an individual basis rather than relying solely on automated credit scoring.
How to Apply
Direct & broker access. Apply directly or via a broker for whole-of-market access. Find a broker
Similar Lenders
View all lenders| Name | Niches | Type | Max LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let | Building Soc. | 90% |
| Furness Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let | Building Soc. | 90% |
| Mansfield Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Adverse Credit | Building Soc. | 85% |
| Newbury Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Shared Ownership | Building Soc. | 95% |
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