Ground Floor Supported Living Accommodation: Finding Suitable Property

A practical guide for landlords, supported living providers, investors and developers looking for accessible ground floor accommodation for supported housing across the UK

Ground floor supported living accommodation can be particularly suitable for people who have mobility difficulties, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism or other support needs where easy access and reduced reliance on stairs are important.

For landlords and property investors, however, finding a ground floor property is only the starting point. The accommodation must also be suitable for the intended residents, meet relevant housing and safety requirements, and work with the support model being delivered.

Government guidance emphasises that supported housing should be accessible, appropriate, safe and suitable for residents' individual health, care and support needs.

What Is Ground Floor Supported Living Accommodation?

Ground floor supported living accommodation is housing located entirely or substantially at ground level where residents can live in their own accommodation while receiving support or care according to their individual needs.

The exact arrangement can vary. A scheme might contain:

• Individual self-contained flats

• Ground floor apartments within a larger building

• A shared house with bedrooms and communal facilities

• Bungalows

• Purpose-built supported living units

• Adapted residential properties

• Small specialist housing schemes

Supported living should not automatically be confused with a care home. In supported living, housing and care arrangements can be separate, while a care home generally provides accommodation and personal or nursing care together as a single contractual arrangement. CQC explains that individual homes within supported living schemes can fall outside its definition of a regulated "location" where the person's accommodation and care arrangements are genuinely separate.

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

Why Providers Look for Ground Floor Properties

Ground floor accommodation can make everyday movement easier for residents who use wheelchairs, walking aids or have reduced mobility.

It can also reduce reliance on stairs and lifts, which may be particularly useful where residents have physical disabilities or changing mobility needs.

Recent supported living assessments have specifically highlighted the accessibility and long-term independence benefits of accommodation where most flats are on the ground floor.

For property owners, this can create demand from providers looking for specialist accommodation that is easier to adapt and manage.

What Makes a Ground Floor Property Suitable?

Being on the ground floor does not automatically make a property accessible.

A supported living provider should assess the entire property, including the approach to the building, entrance, internal circulation, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, communal areas and outdoor space.

Step-free entrance

The route from the pavement, parking area or driveway to the front door should be assessed carefully.

Important considerations can include:

• Level or suitably ramped access

• Sufficient doorway width

• Low thresholds

• Suitable entrance lighting

• Secure access arrangements

• Adequate turning space

• A safe route from parking to the property

A property may be advertised as "ground floor" while still having steps at the main entrance, making further adaptation necessary.

Internal circulation

Residents should be able to move around the property safely.

Depending on the client group, providers may look for:

• Wide circulation routes

• Appropriate door widths

• Minimal level changes

• Sufficient turning space

• Suitable flooring

• Good lighting

• Accessible switches and controls

• Safe movement between bedrooms, bathrooms and communal spaces

For properties intended for wheelchair users, the layout should be assessed against the actual needs of the intended residents rather than relying solely on the property being described as accessible.

Accessible bathrooms

Bathrooms are often one of the most important areas to inspect.

Depending on residents' needs, adaptations could include:

• Level-access showers

• Grab rails

• Accessible toilets

• Appropriate basin heights

• Shower seating

• Anti-scalding controls

• Sufficient manoeuvring space

• Emergency call systems where required

Government supported housing guidance specifically identifies accessible bathrooms, showers and toilets as important considerations where disabled residents are being accommodated.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms need enough space for residents to use the room safely and comfortably.

For wheelchair users or residents requiring equipment, the provider may need space for:

• Wheelchair manoeuvring

• Transfer equipment

• Specialist beds

• Storage

• Mobility aids

• Personal belongings

• Carer or support-worker access where necessary

Ground floor bedrooms can be particularly useful where residents need quick access to outdoor areas or communal spaces.

Kitchen accessibility

The kitchen should be assessed according to the residents who will use it.

Possible adaptations include:

• Lowered work surfaces

• Accessible appliance controls

• Clear circulation space

• Suitable cupboard arrangements

• Easy-to-operate taps

• Accessible storage

• Appropriate lighting

Importantly, accessibility needs to work in practice rather than simply appearing on a property specification.

Outdoor Space Can Be Valuable

A ground floor supported living property with a private garden, patio or communal outdoor space can provide additional benefits.

Outdoor areas can support:

• Independent access to fresh air

• Social activities

• Rehabilitation and daily routines

• Quiet space

• Community activities

• Gardening and recreational activities

The route between the internal accommodation and outdoor space should also be assessed. A garden is less useful if residents cannot safely access it.

Current government housing guidance recognises accessible and adapted homes as an important part of specialist housing provision for older and disabled people.

Property Location Matters

A suitable ground floor property should not be selected solely because of its physical layout.

Location can be equally important.

Providers and commissioners may consider proximity to:

• GP surgeries

• Hospitals

• Pharmacies

• Shops

• Public transport

• Parks and green spaces

• Employment opportunities

• Education and training

• Community facilities

• Existing support networks

The 2026 statutory guidance for local supported housing strategies specifically identifies accessibility, location, transport links, green spaces and community integration as considerations when planning supported housing.

This is particularly relevant when sourcing property in London and other areas where residents may need good access to local services without depending entirely on private transport.

Ground Floor Supported Living Property for Wheelchair Users

Where the intended residents use wheelchairs, a standard ground floor flat may still require substantial modification.

A property assessment should consider:

• Entrance width

• Door thresholds

• Corridor widths

• Turning circles

• Bathroom configuration

• Kitchen layout

• Bedroom dimensions

• Parking

• External paths

• Garden access

• Emergency access

• Storage for mobility equipment

Approved Document M provides building regulations guidance relating to access and use of buildings, including accessible and adaptable dwellings and wheelchair-user dwellings where the relevant requirements apply.

The specific standard required will depend on the building, planning requirements, building work and intended use.

Ground Floor Supported Living in Existing Buildings

Existing residential property can sometimes be adapted for supported living, but a survey should be carried out before committing to a lease or purchase.

Older London properties can present particular challenges, including:

• Narrow entrances

• Small bathrooms

• Steps to front or rear entrances

• Uneven floors

• Limited parking

• Restricted circulation

• Older electrical systems

• Outdated heating

• Structural limitations

• Planning constraints

• Lease restrictions

A property that initially appears inexpensive may become considerably more expensive once accessibility adaptations, refurbishment and compliance works are included.

Buying or Leasing Ground Floor Supported Living Accommodation

Providers can approach the property requirement in several ways.

A provider may:

• Lease an existing suitable property

• Purchase a property

• Work with a landlord on adaptations

• Acquire a building for conversion

• Commission purpose-built accommodation

• Adapt a bungalow or ground floor residential unit

Landlords should understand exactly how the property will be used before agreeing terms.

This means establishing:

• Who will occupy the property

• Who will provide support

• Whether care is being provided

• Whether the provider is appropriately registered for its activities

• Who is responsible for adaptations

• Who pays for repairs

• Who maintains specialist equipment

• What planning position applies

• What happens when the lease ends

The legal and regulatory position can differ considerably depending on whether the property is simply residential accommodation or forms part of a regulated care service.

Ground Floor Supported Living and CQC

CQC involvement depends on the care or support model rather than simply the fact that accommodation is on the ground floor.

For example, supported living can involve people living in their own homes while receiving personal care under separate arrangements. A care home, by contrast, provides accommodation and care together.

Where a property forms part of a regulated care service, providers must also consider relevant safety and risk requirements. CQC Regulation 12, for example, requires providers to assess relevant risks and ensure premises and equipment used in care are safe and properly maintained where the regulation applies.

For landlords, this makes it important to understand the provider's proposed operating model before assuming that a property simply needs to meet ordinary residential requirements.

Ground Floor Supported Living and Planning

Planning considerations should be assessed before converting or substantially changing a property.

Potential issues can include:

• Change of use

• Additional bedrooms

• Extensions

• Accessibility alterations

• New entrances

• Parking changes

• Fire safety works

• Internal reconfiguration

• External ramps

• Local planning policies

Supported housing requirements can also vary between local authorities. England's 2026 Local Supported Housing Strategies guidance encourages councils to consider local need, accessibility, design, location and service models when shaping supported housing provision.

Why Landlords Should Work With the Provider

A landlord does not necessarily need to operate the supported living service personally.

In many cases, the property owner provides accommodation while an appropriately structured provider manages the support or care service.

A strong landlord-provider relationship should clearly establish responsibility for:

• Repairs

• Maintenance

• Adaptations

• Compliance inspections

• Utilities

• Insurance

• Garden maintenance

• Fire safety responsibilities

• Property inspections

• Emergency repairs

• Reinstatement at the end of the lease

A properly drafted lease can help prevent disputes over who is responsible for specialist alterations and ongoing property costs.

Finding Ground Floor Supported Living Accommodation in London

London has a wide range of residential property that could potentially be considered for supported living, from purpose-built apartments to converted houses and bungalows.

However, suitable properties can be difficult to identify because a provider may have specific requirements relating to:

• Number of bedrooms

• Ground floor access

• Accessibility

• Parking

• Outdoor space

• Local amenities

• Transport

• Property condition

• Planning

• Lease structure

• Adaptation potential

A property that works for one supported living provider may be unsuitable for another because resident needs and operating models differ.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Fraser Bond works with landlords, investors, developers and property operators across the UK property market, including specialist property requirements.

For ground floor supported living accommodation, our services can include:

• Property sourcing

• Property acquisition advice

• Landlord and provider introductions

• Property assessment

• Refurbishment coordination

• Building works

• Accessibility improvement projects

• Contractor coordination

• Property management

• Maintenance

• Compliance support

• Investment advice

• Development consultancy

If you own a ground floor flat, bungalow, house or other suitable property and are considering the supported living market, Fraser Bond can help assess the property's potential and coordinate the next stages.

Looking for Ground Floor Supported Living Accommodation?

Whether you are a supported living provider searching for suitable accommodation, a landlord considering leasing to a provider, or an investor looking for specialist housing opportunities, the right property needs to be assessed against the intended use rather than simply its location or number of bedrooms.

Fraser Bond can help with sourcing, assessing, adapting and managing property for specialist supported living requirements across London and the wider UK.