Can I Run Domiciliary Care from an Office? UK Property and CQC Guide

A practical guide for care providers looking to operate a domiciliary care business from suitable office premises across London and the UK

Yes, a domiciliary care business can be run from an office. In fact, for many home care agencies, the office is the central location from which care is planned, coordinated and managed while carers travel to clients' homes to deliver services.

The important distinction is that the office is not where clients necessarily receive their care. Instead, it acts as the operational base for the domiciliary care business.

For providers in England, the Care Quality Commission recognises the premises from which domiciliary care is organised and managed as a CQC location. These premises are usually offices.

How Does Domiciliary Care Work from an Office?

A typical domiciliary care model has two distinct parts.

The first is the office-based operation, where the provider manages the business and coordinates care.

The second is the care delivery, where trained care workers visit service users in their own homes.

The office may therefore be used for:

• Care planning

• Staff scheduling

• Managing care workers

• Staff supervision

• Recruitment

• Training

• Record management

• Client administration

• Communication with families

• Quality assurance

• Management meetings

• Handling referrals and enquiries

CQC's current location guidance specifically refers to activities such as maintaining records, staff meetings, supervision and training as examples of activities that can take place at a domiciliary care location.

Does the Office Need to Be a Care Home?

No.

A domiciliary care agency does not need to operate from a care home simply because it provides personal care.

A suitable commercial office can provide the operational base while care workers deliver services in clients' private homes.

This is fundamentally different from a residential care business, where the property itself accommodates people receiving care.

For a domiciliary care agency, the office is primarily a management and coordination premises.

What Type of Office Can You Use?

A conventional commercial office is often the most straightforward option.

Depending on the size and structure of your business, suitable premises could include:

• A small commercial office

• A ground-floor office

• An office within a business centre

• A professional office building

• A former healthcare or professional services office

• A larger office suitable for a growing care agency

The important issue is not simply whether the property is labelled as an "office". It needs to be appropriate for the way your regulated service will operate.

CQC assesses whether the proposed location is suitable for the service type and may consider matters including office equipment, accessibility, meeting spaces and how confidentiality will be maintained.

What Should a Domiciliary Care Office Contain?

There is no universal office size that applies to every domiciliary care provider.

The premises should instead be appropriate for the scale and nature of the service.

A practical office may include:

Management Workspace

The registered manager and management team need appropriate workspace for running the service.

This could include desks, computers, telephones, secure systems and space for administrative work.

Care Coordination Area

Care coordinators need to manage rotas, communicate with care workers and respond to changes in clients' care arrangements.

As the agency grows, dedicated coordination space can become increasingly important.

Private Meeting Room

A private meeting space can be useful for:

• Staff supervision

• Interviews

• Client meetings

• Family discussions

• Confidential conversations

• Performance meetings

Privacy is particularly important because a care agency handles sensitive information about both service users and employees.

Secure Records

Your office should allow appropriate records and confidential information to be stored securely.

This may involve locked physical storage, secure IT systems or a combination of both.

Training Space

Depending on the business model, you may also want space for staff induction, meetings and training.

A larger office can make it easier to train staff without constantly hiring external meeting rooms.

Can I Run Domiciliary Care from a Home Office?

This requires considerably more care.

CQC's location guidance states that a private home is not normally a location where that home is not the primary place from which the service is managed.

Therefore, you should not assume that simply registering a domestic address or working from a spare bedroom will satisfy the requirements for your domiciliary care operation.

If you are considering using a residential property, you should establish whether it genuinely functions as the operational base of the regulated service and whether the property can lawfully be used for the intended business.

For many providers, a dedicated commercial office provides a clearer and more practical operating arrangement.

Can I Use a Virtual Office?

A virtual office is not the same thing as an operational domiciliary care office.

CQC expressly states that a virtual office is not a location because it is not a physical office or space that people can visit. It also states that a virtual office used simply for receiving mail or diverting calls would not qualify as a location.

This distinction is particularly important for new care providers looking for a low-cost business address.

A prestigious virtual address may be useful for some ordinary business purposes, but it should not be confused with the physical premises from which a regulated domiciliary care service is managed.

Can I Use a Serviced Office?

A serviced office may be possible in some circumstances, but the exact arrangement needs to be considered carefully.

CQC's guidance distinguishes a genuine operational location from temporary premises, including serviced offices used for short periods for activities such as recruitment.

Therefore, a provider considering serviced premises should establish whether it has a genuine, ongoing operational base rather than simply hiring meeting space when required.

The agreement should also give the business appropriate legal permission to operate from the premises.

Does the Landlord Need to Give Permission?

If you are renting the office, you need to establish that your occupancy arrangement permits the proposed care business.

CQC's registration guidance states that where the premises are rented, providers may need written permission from the landlord confirming that the property can be used for the type of service being proposed. CQC also states that general business-use permission that does not mention the specific service type may not be accepted.

This makes the lease and landlord consent important parts of your property preparation.

Before signing a lease, clarify exactly what activities are permitted at the property.

Does the Office Need Planning Permission?

The planning position depends on the existing use of the property and what you intend to do from it.

An office that is already authorised for appropriate commercial use may be relatively straightforward, but you should not assume that every property can automatically be used for a care business.

Before committing to premises, check:

• Existing planning use

• Proposed business activities

• Any restrictions on the property

• Lease restrictions

• Building regulations

• Fire safety requirements

• Whether alterations will be required

A property professional can help identify potential issues before you commit to a lease.

What Does CQC Look for in the Office?

The office should support the safe and effective management of the regulated service.

CQC's current guidance says it may assess matters including:

• Office equipment

• Accessibility

• Meeting spaces

• Confidentiality arrangements

• Suitability of the location

CQC also expects applicants to have their premises set up before submitting a homecare registration application.

This means the property search should happen well before the final registration application rather than after the business has already started operating.

Do I Need a Large Office?

Not necessarily.

A new domiciliary care agency may start with relatively modest premises, provided the office can adequately support the operation.

A small agency might need:

• Management workspace

• A care coordination area

• A private meeting space

• Secure records

• Suitable IT facilities

• Staff facilities

An established provider with a larger workforce may require:

• Multiple management offices

• Several care coordinator workstations

• Interview rooms

• Training rooms

• Larger meeting facilities

• Additional secure storage

• Reception facilities

The objective should be to find premises that are appropriate for your current operation while allowing reasonable room for growth.

Why Location Matters

Your office location can have a direct effect on the practical running of the agency.

When searching for premises, consider:

• The area you intend to serve

• Public transport

• Road access

• Parking

• Staff commuting

• Proximity to clients

• Local recruitment

• Availability of suitable commercial property

• Future expansion

For example, a domiciliary care agency serving several London boroughs may benefit from an office close to major transport routes rather than paying a premium simply for a prestigious address.

What About Legal Occupancy?

Legal occupancy is an important part of preparing a domiciliary care office.

CQC requires homecare applicants to provide appropriate evidence showing that they have legal permission to operate from their chosen location.

This means you should keep appropriate documentation such as:

• Signed lease

• Landlord permission where required

• Ownership documents if you own the property

• Relevant planning documentation

• Other evidence demonstrating lawful occupation

Do not leave this until the registration application stage.

Can I Run More Than One Service from the Same Office?

It is possible to operate more than one relevant service from the same location where the provider is properly registered for the relevant regulated activities.

CQC states that providers can operate more than one service at or from the same location address where the relevant regulated activities and registration conditions are in place.

For example, an organisation may operate domiciliary care and supported living services from a suitable office, provided the regulatory requirements for the services are met.

The services should also be clearly described in the provider's Statement of Purpose.

Renting an Office for a Domiciliary Care Agency

For many new providers, renting can be more practical than buying.

Before agreeing to a lease, investigate:

• Rent

• Service charges

• Business rates

• Deposit

• Lease length

• Break clauses

• Repair obligations

• Permitted use

• Alteration rights

• Signage

• Parking

• Access

• Landlord consent

• Expansion options

A property that appears affordable on headline rent may become significantly more expensive once all occupation costs are included.

Buying an Office for a Care Business

Established operators may also consider purchasing their office premises.

Owning the property can provide greater control over the premises and potentially create a long-term business asset.

However, the purchase should be assessed carefully against:

• Purchase price

• Financing

• Stamp Duty Land Tax where applicable

• Business rates

• Maintenance

• Insurance

• Refurbishment

• Future expansion

• Resale potential

• Suitability for the care operation

The property should work for the business rather than simply being purchased because it is available.

What Should You Tell a Property Agent?

If you are searching for an office for a domiciliary care agency, be specific about your requirements.

Instead of simply requesting an "office to rent", provide a property brief covering:

Business: Domiciliary care agency

Location: Target London boroughs or UK service area

Occupancy: Rent or purchase

Size: Based on current staff and expected growth

Facilities: Management, coordination, private meetings and training

Compliance: Appropriate legal occupancy and permitted business use

Access: Staff and visitor accessibility

Budget: Total property cost rather than rent alone

This can help property agents and consultants identify more relevant premises.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Running domiciliary care from an office requires the right combination of property, operational practicality and regulatory preparation.

Fraser Bond can assist care businesses looking for suitable office premises, whether you need a domiciliary care office to rent, care agency premises, an office suitable for CQC registration or property for a growing home care business.

The right office should provide a genuine operational base where your team can manage care effectively, maintain appropriate records, conduct staff supervision and coordinate services across the communities you serve.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Office

Before taking a property, ask:

• Can I legally operate my domiciliary care business from this premises?

• Does the lease permit the intended use?

• Can the landlord provide appropriate written permission?

• Is the office suitable for CQC registration?

• Is there enough space for management and care coordination?

• Can confidential records be protected?

• Is there a private meeting area?

• Can staff training take place here?

• Is the property accessible?

• Is the location practical for my service area?

• Are there planning or building restrictions?

• What are the total occupation costs?

• Can the office accommodate future growth?

Finding the Right Domiciliary Care Office

Yes, you can run a domiciliary care business from an office, and for many providers the office will be the central location from which the regulated service is organised and managed.

The key is choosing a genuine physical operational base, rather than relying on a virtual address or temporary workspace.

CQC's current guidance specifically identifies offices as the usual type of location for domiciliary care agencies and requires providers to identify the premises from which care is routinely planned, coordinated and managed.

For new providers, securing suitable premises early can make the rest of the registration and business setup process much easier. The property should support your staff, protect confidential information, accommodate meetings and training, and provide a practical base for managing care across your service area.