CQC Properties Required - UK Landlords, Investors and Property Owners Looking for Care Operators

CQC properties required by care providers, healthcare operators and specialist organisations seeking suitable UK premises

Property owners searching for CQC properties required are often looking to understand whether their building could be suitable for a care provider, healthcare operator or specialist organisation delivering regulated services.

The term "CQC property" is commonly used in the specialist property market, but it is important to understand what it actually means. The Care Quality Commission regulates relevant health and adult social care activities in England. It does not simply approve a property independently of the organisation operating the service.

A care provider may need CQC registration for the regulated activity it intends to carry out, while the premises must also be suitable for the proposed service. CQC states that carrying on a regulated activity without registration is an offence.

For landlords and investors, this distinction is important when marketing a property to care operators.

What types of CQC properties are required?

There is no single specification for every CQC-regulated service. Property requirements depend on the type of care being provided and the operator's business model.

Potentially suitable properties can include:

• Former care homes

• Nursing homes

• Residential care properties

• Specialist care accommodation

• Supported living properties

• Large residential houses

• Bungalows

• Healthcare premises

• Day service buildings

• Former medical or rehabilitation facilities

• Properties requiring refurbishment

• Purpose-built care facilities

• Commercial premises suitable for conversion

A property that has previously been used for care can be attractive to an operator, but previous use does not automatically mean that a new service can begin operating from the premises.

The proposed use, planning position, building condition and regulatory requirements still need to be assessed.

What do CQC care operators look for?

Requirements vary considerably between care providers.

However, operators may assess the following characteristics.

Bedrooms and accommodation

Residential care operators may require multiple bedrooms with appropriate space, privacy and access to facilities.

The number and arrangement of rooms should correspond with the operator's intended service rather than simply the maximum number of bedrooms available.

Bathrooms

Adequate bathroom facilities are particularly important for residential and specialist care accommodation.

An operator may need accessible bathrooms, additional facilities or adaptations depending on the people it supports.

Communal areas

Care properties generally need more than bedrooms.

Operators may look for:

• Living rooms

• Dining areas

• Activity rooms

• Communal lounges

• Kitchens

• Offices

• Staff areas

• Storage facilities

The appropriate layout will depend on the service being delivered.

Accessibility

Accessibility can be a major consideration.

Depending on the service, operators may look for:

• Step-free access

• Accessible entrances

• Wide doorways

• Accessible bathrooms

• Suitable circulation space

• Lifts where required

• Parking

• Space for mobility equipment

The requirements should be assessed against the needs of the intended residents or service users.

Location matters for CQC properties

A suitable care property needs to work within its surrounding community.

Operators may consider proximity to:

• Hospitals

• GP surgeries

• Pharmacies

• Shops

• Public transport

• Community facilities

• Schools or colleges

• Employment opportunities

• Other support services

CQC guidance states that premises used for regulated services should be suitable, appropriately located and properly maintained.

For property owners, this means that location should be included in the property's specialist marketing strategy.

Planning permission for CQC properties

Planning is an important part of any proposed care use.

The Planning Portal identifies C2 as covering residential institutions including residential care homes, hospitals and nursing homes. C3(b) can cover up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care, including certain supported housing schemes.

However, the correct planning position depends on the actual use of the property.

A landlord should therefore avoid assuming that every CQC-regulated service requires C2 use, or that every residential property can automatically be used for care.

Where there is a proposed change of use, the local planning authority should be consulted to establish whether planning permission, prior approval or another form of consent is required.

Does CQC approve the property?

This is one of the most important points for landlords.

CQC registration applies to the legal entity carrying out the regulated activity. It is not simply a certificate attached to a building that can be passed between unrelated operators.

For example, if a landlord leases a former care home to a new care company, the new provider may need to make its own registration arrangements with CQC.

CQC also has processes covering changes to registered locations and transfers between providers, so the regulatory position needs to be considered as part of the transaction.

Property owners should therefore be cautious about advertising a building simply as "CQC approved".

It is generally more accurate to describe a property as potentially suitable for a CQC-regulated care service where that suitability has been properly assessed.

Building regulations and premises requirements

The physical condition of the property can have a significant impact on an operator's plans.

Relevant considerations can include:

• Fire safety

• Electrical systems

• Heating

• Water systems

• Emergency arrangements

• Security

• Accessibility

• Structural condition

• Ventilation

• Maintenance

• Infection control requirements

• Equipment and facilities

CQC registration guidance can require applicants to provide supporting evidence relating to premises, including building control documentation where relevant. CQC also expects premises and equipment used for regulated activities to be suitable, secure, clean and properly maintained.

A property assessment should therefore take place before major refurbishment decisions are made.

Should landlords refurbish a CQC property before finding an operator?

Not necessarily.

A landlord may believe that extensive refurbishment will make a property more attractive to care providers, but the correct specification depends on the operator and intended service.

For example, one care operator may require additional accessible bathrooms, while another may need larger communal areas, staff offices or specialist facilities.

Finding the intended operator before committing to major works can help prevent unnecessary expenditure.

Fraser Bond can assist with property assessment, refurbishment planning, contractor coordination and building works where appropriate.

Leasing a property to a CQC care operator

Property owners who want to retain ownership may consider leasing their property to a suitable care provider.

A specialist lease can address matters such as:

• Lease term

• Rent

• Rent reviews

• Repairs

• Maintenance

• Insurance

• Utilities

• Refurbishment

• Alterations

• Assignment

• Occupation arrangements

• Break clauses

• Reinstatement

• Compliance responsibilities

The commercial terms should reflect the property and the financial strength and experience of the proposed operator.

A long lease can provide stability, but landlords should still carry out appropriate due diligence before entering into an agreement.

How to assess a CQC operator

Before agreeing to lease or sell a property to a care provider, owners should investigate the organisation.

Useful checks can include:

• Company history

• Financial position

• Existing care services

• CQC registration

• Inspection history

• Management experience

• Business plan

• Proposed service

• Insurance

• References

• Staffing arrangements

• Refurbishment plans

• Maintenance responsibilities

CQC's registration process requires providers to demonstrate that they are prepared to deliver the relevant regulated activity and meet applicable requirements.

For a new operator, the landlord should understand the operator's current stage of planning and registration rather than assuming that registration is guaranteed.

CQC properties required for supported living

Supported living requires particular care when discussing "CQC properties".

CQC explains that where accommodation and personal care are provided separately, and residents can choose another care provider, the arrangement may be supported living or extra care. In these circumstances, CQC regulates the relevant care activity rather than the accommodation itself.

This means a property owner with a house or apartment suitable for supported living may be able to work with a specialist housing or care operator without the building itself being described as a CQC-registered property.

The exact position depends on the service and contractual structure.

Former care homes and CQC properties

Former care homes can attract interest from care operators because they may already have features such as multiple bedrooms, communal areas, kitchens, bathrooms and specialist facilities.

However, owners should investigate why the property stopped operating as a care service.

Useful questions include:

• Why did the previous operator leave?

• What is the current planning use?

• Are there outstanding building works?

• What is the condition of fire safety systems?

• Are existing facilities compliant?

• Does the layout meet current operator requirements?

• Is there any relevant regulatory history?

A former care property can be an opportunity, but its history should be understood before it is marketed as a specialist investment.

CQC properties required in London

London has a broad range of residential and commercial properties that may potentially suit care operators.

A large house in North London may be considered by a specialist residential care provider if its layout and location are appropriate.

In South London, a former care facility requiring refurbishment may attract an operator looking to establish a new service.

In West London, an investor may own a specialist property that could be marketed to healthcare or adult social care organisations.

The right opportunity depends on matching the building with an operator whose service requirements fit the property.

Why specialist advice matters

CQC-related property transactions can involve several moving parts, including planning, property condition, building works, operator due diligence and regulatory requirements.

This makes specialist property advice particularly valuable.

A landlord should understand what the property can realistically support before spending money on refurbishment or marketing it to operators.

Find CQC care operators for your property with Fraser Bond

If you own a property that could potentially suit a CQC-regulated care service, Fraser Bond can help assess the opportunity and position the property for the specialist market.

Our services can include property assessment, specialist operator marketing, investment advice, refurbishment coordination, building works and property management support where appropriate.

Whether you own a former care home, large residential property, healthcare building or property requiring conversion, the first step is understanding its potential and identifying an appropriate operator.

Contact Fraser Bond to discuss your property and explore opportunities within the UK care and healthcare property market.