Darlington Building Society is an independent, mutual building society founded in 1856. As a member-owned institution, it is run for the benefit of its customers, not shareholders, and is known for its strong community focus, pledging to donate 5% of its annual profits to local causes.
The society's mortgage lending is defined by its manual, "common-sense" underwriting approach. This means they do not use automated credit scoring to make decisions, allowing them to assess each case individually.
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About Darlington Building Society
While the society has nine branches in its North East "heartland" (County Durham, North Yorkshire, and the Tees Valley), its mortgage lending footprint is national. It offers mortgages for properties across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Its manual underwriting philosophy makes it a key lender for mortgage brokers and customers who have circumstances that are not "standard." This "personal approach" to lending allows them to consider complex income, minor credit issues, or unusual property types that a computer-based system would likely decline.
Mortgage Products
Darlington Building Society offers a wide range of products for both standard and specialist borrowers.
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First-Time Buyers: They offer mortgages up to 95% LTV, including support for the First Homes scheme.
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Standard Mortgages: A range of fixed and discounted-rate products for home movers and remortgagers.
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Buy-to-Let: Products for landlords, including for first-time landlords and those with smaller portfolios.
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Self-Build: The society offers dedicated self-build mortgage products, often released in stages.
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Specialist Mortgages: This is the society's key strength. Their specialist range includes:
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Later Life Lending: Mortgages for older borrowers, with lending considered up to age 86.
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Expat Mortgages: They will consider applications from British nationals living abroad.
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Complex Income: Their manual underwriting is ideal for the self-employed (with 2 years' accounts), contractors, and those with multiple income sources (e.g., benefits, maintenance payments).
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Credit History: They may consider applicants with minor adverse credit issues, as they do not rely on an automated credit score.
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Pros and Cons of a Darlington Building Society Mortgage
Here is a balanced overview of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing Darlington.
Pros:
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Manual Underwriting (No Credit Scoring): This is their biggest advantage. Every application is reviewed by a person, making them an excellent choice for those with complex incomes, the self-employed, or minor credit blips.
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Specialist Niche Lender: They have strong, flexible products for underserved markets like later-life lending and self-build.
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Outstanding Customer Service: The society has an exceptional reputation, with an "Excellent" rating of 4.91/5 on Smart Money People from over 12,000 reviews. They were also named "Building Society of the Year" at the 2024 MoneyAge Mortgage Awards.
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National Lending: Despite its regional name, the society lends across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Cons:
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Slower Application Process: The trade-off for in-depth, manual underwriting is that the time from application to mortgage offer can be longer (e.g., around 18 working days) than with a fully automated lender.
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Not Always the Cheapest: As a specialist lender, their rates may not always be the lowest on the market, especially for "standard" borrowers with large deposits and perfect credit.
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Local LTV Cap: While they lend nationally, their 95% LTV products are restricted to their local operating area (DL, TS, DH, YO, HG, SR postcodes). Outside this area, the LTV is typically capped at 90%.
Customer Service and Reviews
Darlington Building Society's reputation for customer service is outstanding. It has been recognised as an "outstanding employer" for five consecutive years and has won multiple customer- and broker-voted awards.
Reviews on Smart Money People consistently praise the "friendly," "professional," and "helpful" staff, both in-branch and over the phone. Their mortgage-specific rating is an excellent 4.84/5, with customers highlighting the personal, non-computer-based approach as a key benefit.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with Darlington
You have two main options for applying for a mortgage with Darlington Building Society:
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Directly: You can apply directly to the society by booking an appointment with one of their mortgage advisers. This can be done over the phone or by visiting one of their local branches.
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Through a Mortgage Broker (recommended): The society has a strong, dedicated intermediary channel ("Darlington Intermediaries"). A broker who understands their manual underwriting process can be invaluable, especially if your application is complex. They can package your case correctly and liaise with the underwriting team on your behalf.
Get started here to begin a free, no-obligation chat with a broker who specialises in Darlington’s product range and can offer independent advice on their products.