Properties Wanted by Care Companies - Find Suitable UK Property

Properties Wanted by Care Companies in the UK - A Practical Guide for Landlords, Property Owners and Investors

Properties wanted by care companies can range from established care homes and nursing facilities to large residential properties and former healthcare buildings suitable for refurbishment or conversion. For property owners, understanding what care companies actually require can make it easier to identify the right operator and structure an appropriate sale or lease.

Care companies can have very different requirements depending on their service, resident profile, location and expansion plans. A property that works for one operator may not be suitable for another.

Fraser Bond can help property owners assess their buildings, identify potential care uses, prepare properties for the market and connect suitable opportunities with specialist operators.

What Properties Are Wanted by Care Companies?

Care companies may search for several types of property, including:

• Existing care homes

• Nursing homes

• Former care homes

• Vacant healthcare facilities

• Large residential houses

• Purpose-built care facilities

• Specialist accommodation

• Properties requiring refurbishment

• Buildings suitable for conversion

• Development opportunities

• Properties available on long-term leases

• Properties available for purchase

The exact specification normally depends on the operator's business model and the type of care it provides.

Some companies may want a ready-to-use care home, while others may specifically seek a building that can be refurbished and adapted to their operating requirements.

What Do Care Companies Look for in Property?

A care company will normally assess much more than the number of bedrooms.

Potential requirements include:

• Suitable bedroom sizes

• Adequate bathrooms and toilets

• Communal living areas

• Dining space

• Kitchen facilities

• Outdoor space

• Accessibility

• Parking

• Fire safety

• Heating and ventilation

• Electrical systems

• Security

• Storage

• Suitable location

• Public transport connections

• Access to local amenities

CQC guidance states that premises used by registered providers must be suitable for their intended purpose, properly maintained, secure and appropriately located. It also highlights matters including accessibility, facilities, parking and access to public transport.

This means that a property should be assessed in the context of the proposed care service rather than simply marketed as a large building.

Existing Care Homes Wanted by Care Companies

Existing care homes can be attractive to care companies looking to expand their operations.

A functioning or recently closed facility may already have:

• Multiple bedrooms

• Communal lounges

• Dining facilities

• Specialist bathrooms

• Kitchen facilities

• Staff areas

• Outdoor space

• Accessibility features

However, existing care use does not remove the need for proper due diligence.

The property owner and prospective operator should establish the current planning position, building condition, safety arrangements and any restrictions affecting the property's future use.

Former Care Homes Wanted

Former care homes can also attract specialist operators.

A vacant facility may offer an opportunity to refurbish an existing care layout rather than start with a completely different building.

Before marketing a former care home, an owner should consider:

• Previous use

• Current lawful use

• Planning position

• Building condition

• Fire safety

• Accessibility

• Heating and electrical systems

• Outstanding repairs

• Refurbishment requirements

• Any restrictions on future use

The property's previous use is useful information, but it should not be assumed that the same use can automatically continue under a new operator without checking the relevant requirements.

Large Houses Wanted by Care Companies

Care companies may also be interested in large residential properties.

A substantial property in South London, for example, may have several bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, communal rooms, parking and outdoor space. Such a building could potentially interest a care operator, subject to planning, building regulations and suitability for the proposed service.

Owners of larger residential properties should therefore consider specialist care use as one potential option where the building's characteristics support it.

Before carrying out significant conversion works, however, it is sensible to understand the operator's requirements.

Planning Considerations

Planning is one of the first issues to investigate when a care company is considering a property.

The existing lawful use and the proposed care service can determine whether planning permission or another form of consent is required.

Residential care homes are commonly associated with Use Class C2, but planning treatment depends on the individual property and proposed operation.

A landlord should therefore avoid assuming that every large house, former care home or healthcare property can automatically be used for a new care service.

The relevant local planning authority can provide information about the planning position, while professional planning advice may be appropriate for more complex proposals.

Building regulations are a separate consideration and should also be addressed where conversion or significant alteration is proposed.

CQC and Care Company Requirements

Property owners should distinguish between providing property and providing regulated care.

In England, care companies may need to register with the Care Quality Commission where they carry on regulated activities. CQC states that carrying on a regulated activity without registration is an offence.

CQC also explains that registration applies to the legal entity carrying on the regulated activity rather than the property itself.

A landlord therefore does not automatically become a regulated care provider simply by leasing a property to a care company.

The intended service should be established so that the operator can determine which regulatory requirements apply.

Leasing Property to a Care Company

Many care companies may consider leasing suitable buildings rather than purchasing them.

For landlords, a care property lease can provide an opportunity to retain ownership while allowing a specialist operator to run its business from the premises.

The lease may need to cover:

• Lease length

• Rent

• Rent reviews

• Repairs

• Maintenance

• Insurance

• Refurbishment

• Alterations

• Compliance responsibilities

• Assignment

• Subletting

• Break clauses

• Reinstatement

The commercial terms should be structured around the property's circumstances and the operator's requirements.

Selling Property to a Care Company

Some care companies prefer to purchase properties outright.

Potential buyers may include:

• Independent care companies

• Larger care groups

• Healthcare businesses

• Specialist investors

• Property developers

• Healthcare property investors

A property's location, condition, planning position, existing use and future potential can influence its appeal to buyers.

Owners considering a sale should ensure that the property's specialist characteristics are clearly presented to the relevant market.

Do You Need to Refurbish Before Finding a Care Company?

Not necessarily.

A landlord may assume that extensive refurbishment is required before approaching operators, but different care companies can have very different specifications.

One operator may require more en-suite bedrooms, while another may prioritise communal space, accessibility or outdoor facilities.

Potential works can include:

• Bathroom upgrades

• Accessibility improvements

• Fire safety works

• Electrical upgrades

• Heating improvements

• Kitchen refurbishment

• Internal reconfiguration

• Communal area improvements

• Security upgrades

• External works

Understanding the intended operator's requirements first can help prevent unnecessary expenditure.

What Care Companies Need to Know About a Property

When a care company is considering a building, providing accurate information can speed up the assessment process.

Useful information includes:

• Property location

• Floor area

• Number of bedrooms

• Number of bathrooms

• Existing use

• Planning position

• Parking

• Outdoor space

• Accessibility

• Building condition

• Previous care use

• Availability

• Lease or sale preference

• Refurbishment potential

A well-prepared property opportunity makes it easier for an operator to decide whether the building fits its requirements.

Due Diligence on Care Companies

Property owners should also carry out due diligence on prospective care companies.

Important areas can include:

• Company history

• Financial position

• Existing operations

• Management experience

• CQC registration where applicable

• Registered manager arrangements

• Business plan

• References

• Insurance

• Proposed use

• Refurbishment plans

• Lease requirements

CQC's current provider guidance also highlights planning, building regulations and landlord or mortgage lender permissions as matters that may need to be addressed when preparing premises for regulated care.

The strength and suitability of the operator are therefore important considerations alongside the property itself.

Properties Wanted by Care Companies in London

London offers a wide range of potential specialist properties, but requirements can vary considerably between operators.

A care company looking for property in North London may have a different specification from an operator searching in South or West London.

Factors such as transport connections, parking, access to local services, surrounding environment and the needs of the intended residents can all influence suitability.

Property owners should therefore avoid relying on generic descriptions and instead highlight the features that are genuinely relevant to care operators.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Fraser Bond can assist property owners, landlords and investors who have properties wanted by care companies across the UK.

Depending on the opportunity, Fraser Bond can help assess the property's potential, identify suitable care uses, coordinate refurbishment and building works, prepare the property for specialist marketing, identify appropriate operators and support lease or sale negotiations.

Whether you own an existing care home, former care facility, large residential property or another building with potential for specialist care use, the right approach begins with understanding what the property can realistically support.

Fraser Bond can help position the opportunity for care companies whose requirements and proposed operations are compatible with the property.