Ecology Building Society
Building SocietyEcology Building Society is a specialist green lender dedicated to supporting sustainable and ecological building projects across the UK. It provides mortgages for energy-efficient homes, eco-renovations, and self-build projects, making it a unique choice for environmentally conscious borrowers.
About Ecology Building Society
Ecology Building Society was founded in 1981 and was the UK's first building society to focus on environmental lending. The society has its headquarters in West Yorkshire and operates as a mutual with no shareholders. Ecology's mission is to build a greener society by lending on properties and projects that benefit the environment.
Ecology offers mortgages for energy-efficient new builds, eco-renovations, self-build projects, and properties with ecological features. The society uses its lending to support sustainable construction, renewable energy, and environmentally responsible property development. Ecology has strict lending criteria focused on environmental impact.
Ecology Building Society is regulated by the FCA and PRA and is a member of the Building Societies Association. The society remains a niche lender but has grown steadily as demand for green finance has increased. Ecology appeals to environmentally conscious borrowers who want their mortgage to support sustainable housing.
Lending Focus
Ecology Building Society offers mortgage products across 2 categories including Residential, Self Build.
Key Features
- UK's only dedicated green mortgage lender with ecological focus
- Self-build and renovation mortgages for energy-efficient and sustainable projects
- Discounted rates for properties with high energy performance ratings
- Lending on non-standard construction types including straw bale, cob, and earth sheltered
- C-Change discount rewarding improvements in a property's energy efficiency
Pros & Cons
Pros
- UK's only dedicated green mortgage lender — unique in the market
- Lends on non-standard construction types that other lenders refuse (straw bale, cob, earth sheltered)
- C-Change discount rewards energy efficiency improvements with lower rates
- Self-build mortgages tailored for sustainable and ecological projects
Cons
- –Maximum LTV of 85% — requires a larger deposit than most lenders
- –No buy-to-let or commercial mortgage products
- –Maximum loan amount capped at £1 million
Fees & Charges
- Arrangement Fee
- £995 or fee-free options on selected products
- Valuation Fee
- £250–£1,000 depending on property value and type
- Early Repayment Charge
- 1–3% during the initial deal period
- Overpayment Allowance
- Up to 10% per year without charge
Mortgage Rates
Rate data coming soon. View rates on Ecology 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
- 4–6 weeks from application to offer
- Online DIP
- No — via broker or branch
- Offer Valid For
- 6 months
Lending Criteria
- Maximum LTV
- 85%
- Max Loan Amount
- £1m
- Min Loan Amount
- £25k
- Rate Types
- fixed, discount
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of properties does Ecology Building Society lend on?
Ecology Building Society specialises in lending on energy-efficient and sustainable properties, including non-standard construction types such as straw bale, cob, timber frame, and earth-sheltered homes that most mainstream lenders will not consider.
What is the Ecology C-Change discount?
The C-Change discount is a unique feature where Ecology reduces your mortgage interest rate when you improve your property's energy efficiency rating. As your EPC rating improves, your mortgage rate can decrease.
Does Ecology Building Society offer self-build mortgages?
Yes, Ecology specialises in self-build mortgages for sustainable and ecological building projects. They offer staged funding releases and are experienced in assessing non-standard builds that other lenders may not understand.
What is the minimum deposit required for an Ecology mortgage?
Ecology Building Society requires a minimum 15% deposit (maximum 85% LTV), which is higher than many mainstream lenders. This reflects their specialist lending focus on sustainable properties.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath Building Society | Residential, Self Build | Building Soc. | 85% |
| Scottish Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Self Build+1 | Building Soc. | 90% |
| Cambridge Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let, Self Build+1 | Building Soc. | 95% |
| Cumberland Building Society | Residential, Buy-to-Let | Building Soc. | 90% |
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