Accessible Property for Care Provider: Finding Suitable Care Accommodation

A practical guide for care providers, landlords, investors and developers looking for accessible property suitable for residential care, supported living and specialist disability accommodation across the UK

Finding an accessible property for a care provider involves much more than looking for a building with a ramp or a ground floor bedroom. The property needs to work for the specific people who will live there, the care model being delivered and the provider's operational requirements.

For care providers, landlords and investors, suitable accessibility can influence everything from property selection and refurbishment costs to planning, building regulations, staffing arrangements and long-term property management.

Government building guidance includes specific accessibility provisions for dwellings and other buildings, while CQC requirements can apply depending on the type of care service being provided.

What Is an Accessible Property for a Care Provider?

An accessible care property is residential or specialist accommodation that has been designed, adapted or selected to allow people with disabilities, mobility difficulties or other support needs to use the property safely and comfortably.

Depending on the care model, the property could be:

• A bungalow

• A detached or semi-detached house

• A ground floor flat

• A purpose-built supported living scheme

• A converted residential property

• A small care home

• An adapted apartment

• A specialist disability accommodation property

• A property suitable for multiple residents with individual bedrooms and shared facilities

The right specification depends on the intended residents.

A property suitable for older people with limited mobility may require different adaptations from one intended for wheelchair users, people with learning disabilities, people with complex physical needs or residents requiring nursing or personal care.

Accessible Does Not Always Mean Wheelchair Accessible

One of the most important points for care providers is to define exactly what "accessible" means before searching for property.

A property may have:

• Step-free access

• A ground floor bedroom

• An accessible bathroom

• A ramp

• Wider doors

Yet still be unsuitable for a particular resident group.

For example, a wheelchair user may require considerably more circulation and turning space than a person who simply needs to avoid stairs.

Similarly, a provider supporting people with complex physical disabilities may require specialist bathrooms, hoists, equipment storage and adapted kitchens.

CQC's current assessment framework emphasises physical access to care and expects care to be accessible in ways that meet people's individual circumstances.

What Should Care Providers Check?

Before purchasing or leasing an accessible property, the provider should carry out a detailed property assessment.

Step-Free Access

The route from the pavement or parking area to the entrance should be examined.

Potential requirements include:

• Level entrance

• Suitable ramp

• Wide entrance door

• Low thresholds

• Adequate manoeuvring space

• Safe external lighting

• Non-slip surfaces

• Accessible pathway

• Suitable handrails where required

A property advertised as "accessible" should therefore be physically inspected rather than assessed solely from photographs or an estate agent's description.

Accessible Bedrooms

Bedrooms should provide sufficient space for residents to use the room safely.

Depending on the care model, providers may need room for:

• Wheelchairs

• Walking aids

• Specialist beds

• Hoists

• Transfer equipment

• Storage

• Carer access

• Medical or support equipment

The location of the bedroom within the property can also matter. A ground floor bedroom may be preferable where a resident cannot safely use stairs.

Accessible Bathrooms

Bathrooms are often one of the most expensive areas to adapt.

Potential requirements include:

• Level-access showers

• Accessible toilets

• Grab rails

• Shower seating

• Appropriate basin positioning

• Anti-scalding controls

• Hoist compatibility

• Adequate turning space

• Easy-to-operate fittings

The precise specification should be determined by the needs of the people who will use the accommodation.

Kitchen Accessibility

For supported living and some residential care models, residents may need to use kitchens independently or with support.

Possible adaptations include:

• Lowered worktops

• Accessible appliances

• Easy-to-operate taps

• Clear floor space

• Accessible storage

• Appropriate appliance positioning

• Good lighting

• Contrasting surfaces where useful

A specialist kitchen should be designed around actual user requirements rather than simply installing generic "accessible" fittings.

Parking and External Areas

Parking can be an important consideration for care providers, particularly where residents use adapted vehicles or require wheelchair-accessible transport.

A suitable property may benefit from:

• Off-street parking

• Level access from parking to the entrance

• Space for adapted vehicles

• Covered drop-off areas

• Wide external pathways

• Accessible garden access

Outdoor space can also support residents' independence and quality of life.

Where a garden is provided, the provider should check whether residents can actually access and use it safely.

Ground Floor Layouts Can Be Particularly Useful

Ground floor accommodation can reduce reliance on stairs and may simplify accessibility adaptations.

For residents with mobility difficulties, a suitable ground floor layout could provide:

• Bedroom

• Accessible bathroom

• Kitchen

• Living area

• Storage

• External access

all on the same level.

Bungalows can therefore be attractive to providers looking for accessible care property, although a bungalow is not automatically suitable. Door widths, bathrooms, circulation, external access and overall layout still need to be assessed.

Properties for Wheelchair Users

If a care provider is specifically looking for wheelchair accessible property, the search should be more detailed.

Important considerations can include:

• Entrance width

• Door widths throughout the property

• Internal turning space

• Corridor dimensions

• Floor levels

• Bathroom layout

• Kitchen circulation

• Bedroom dimensions

• Storage for mobility equipment

• Accessible parking

• Garden access

• Emergency access

Approved Document M provides building regulations guidance covering access and use of buildings. For dwellings, it distinguishes between visitable dwellings, accessible and adaptable dwellings, and wheelchair-user dwellings, with the latter categories applying where required by planning permission.

The relevant requirements should therefore be checked against the specific property and proposed works.

Accessible Property for Supported Living

Accessible property can also be required for supported living schemes.

CQC describes supported living as arrangements where a person lives in their own home while receiving care or support intended to promote independence. The care may be regulated by CQC while the accommodation itself is generally not regulated by CQC in the same way as a care home.

This distinction is important when a landlord is considering leasing property to a supported living provider.

The property owner may provide the accommodation while a separate organisation delivers support or personal care.

The contractual structure, service model and responsibilities should be established before the property is leased.

Accessible Property for Residential Care

Residential care has a different regulatory structure.

Where people are accommodated and receive personal or nursing care as part of the same arrangement, CQC's location rules can apply to the premises.

For a care provider considering a property, this means the building should be assessed alongside the proposed care model rather than treated simply as an ordinary residential letting.

CQC's requirements include safe care and treatment, with providers required to assess risks and ensure relevant premises and equipment are safe where the regulation applies.

Planning and Building Regulations

Accessibility works can sometimes involve significant alterations to a property.

Examples include:

• Installing ramps

• Widening doorways

• Reconfiguring bathrooms

• Creating accessible entrances

• Installing lifts

• Altering internal layouts

• Constructing extensions

• Changing external access

• Converting rooms

• Altering plumbing and electrical systems

Some works require building regulations approval, and changes involving a property's use may also require planning consideration. Government guidance recommends checking with a building control body where it is unclear whether approval is needed.

Care providers should therefore establish the planning and building control position before committing to substantial refurbishment.

Buying an Accessible Property for a Care Provider

Buying can make sense where the provider or investor wants long-term control over the property.

Before purchasing, consider:

• Purchase price

• Accessibility of the existing layout

• Adaptation costs

• Refurbishment costs

• Planning requirements

• Building regulations

• Fire safety requirements

• Location

• Parking

• Future maintenance

• Potential resale or alternative use

A cheaper property may not necessarily be cheaper overall if extensive structural adaptations are required.

For example, a £450,000 property with excellent access and an adaptable layout may require significantly less work than a £400,000 property that needs major bathroom, entrance and circulation alterations.

Leasing Accessible Property to a Care Provider

Landlords who already own suitable accessible property may consider leasing it to a care provider.

Before entering an agreement, the landlord should establish:

• Who the provider is

• What type of care will be delivered

• Who will occupy the property

• Whether the provider requires planning consent

• Whether adaptations are required

• Who pays for adaptations

• Who handles maintenance

• Who pays for compliance works

• Who insures the building

• What happens to adaptations when the lease ends

A clear lease can help prevent disagreements over property alterations, repairs and reinstatement.

Due Diligence on the Care Provider

Property owners should also assess the organisation intending to occupy the building.

This can include checking:

• Company details

• Operating history

• Relevant registrations

• Financial position

• Insurance

• References

• Existing properties

• Care model

• Proposed use of the property

• Responsibility for maintenance and adaptations

CQC registration requirements and the relevant regulatory position depend on the services being provided. CQC states that providers carrying on regulated activities must meet applicable regulatory requirements.

A landlord should not assume that a property lease automatically transfers regulatory responsibility away from the provider or that every care provider requires the same registration.

Refurbishing an Existing Property

Many care providers do not require a completely new building.

An existing property can sometimes be adapted through a carefully planned refurbishment programme.

Works may include:

• Bathroom conversion

• Kitchen adaptation

• Door widening

• Ramp installation

• Flooring replacement

• Lighting improvements

• Handrails

• Accessible external paths

• Bedroom alterations

• Additional bathrooms

• Heating upgrades

• Electrical improvements

The cost and feasibility of each project should be assessed before the property is acquired or leased.

Choosing the Right Location

Accessibility extends beyond the building itself.

A care provider may also need convenient access to:

• GP practices

• Hospitals

• Pharmacies

• Shops

• Public transport

• Parks

• Community centres

• Employment

• Education

• Family networks

For specialist supported housing, government housing programmes recognise accessible or adapted homes and purpose-designed supported living as important forms of housing for disabled people and people requiring support.

A well-adapted property in an unsuitable location may still create operational difficulties.

Accessible Care Property in London

London presents a wide range of potential properties, including bungalows, houses, ground floor flats, purpose-built developments and larger residential buildings.

However, accessibility can vary considerably between boroughs and property types.

A London care provider may need to balance:

• Property availability

• Purchase or rental costs

• Transport links

• Local amenities

• Parking

• Planning requirements

• Adaptation costs

• Bedroom requirements

• Outdoor space

• Long-term operating costs

Fraser Bond can help assess these factors when sourcing specialist property across London and the wider UK.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Fraser Bond works with landlords, investors, developers and property operators looking for specialist property solutions.

For care providers seeking accessible accommodation, our services can include:

• Accessible property sourcing

• Property acquisition

• Property leasing support

• Property assessment

• Refurbishment planning

• Building works

• Accessibility adaptations

• Contractor coordination

• Property management

• Maintenance

• Compliance support

• Development consultancy

• Investment advice

Whether you need a wheelchair accessible house, ground floor supported living property, adapted bungalow or larger specialist care property, the starting point should be a clear understanding of the residents' needs and the intended care model.

Looking for Accessible Property for a Care Provider?

The right accessible property should provide more than step-free access. It should offer a practical combination of suitable layout, accessibility, location, safety, adaptability and long-term operational value.

Fraser Bond can help care providers, landlords and investors source, assess, acquire, refurbish and manage property suited to specialist care and supported living requirements across the UK.