Property for CQC Supported Living Service - What Providers and Landlords Should Check

A practical guide to finding property for a CQC supported living service, covering location, layout, safety, accessibility, planning, refurbishment, property management and the requirements providers should consider before applying to CQC.

Finding property for a CQC supported living service requires more than securing a house with enough bedrooms. The property needs to work for the people who will live there, the care and support model being delivered, and the provider's regulatory responsibilities.

It is also important to understand the distinction between the accommodation and the regulated care service. The Care Quality Commission states that for supported living services, the care provided is regulated by CQC, while the accommodation itself is not generally regulated by CQC as a care location. Supported living involves people living in their own homes while receiving care and support intended to promote independence.

For landlords and property investors, this distinction is important when sourcing or preparing accommodation for a supported living operator.

What Property Is Suitable for a CQC Supported Living Service?

There is no single property type that automatically qualifies as suitable for a CQC supported living service.

The appropriate property depends on:

• The people being supported

• Their individual needs

• The level of care and support

• Staffing arrangements

• Number of residents

• Accessibility requirements

• Property layout

• Location

• Proposed tenancy arrangements

• Planning position

• Local licensing requirements

A large detached house might work for one supported living model, while a bungalow or smaller residential property could be more appropriate for another.

The starting point should therefore be the service model rather than simply the number of bedrooms available.

Understand What CQC Actually Regulates

Providers should establish whether their planned service involves a regulated activity that requires CQC registration.

CQC states that providers must register if they intend to provide a regulated activity in England, and carrying on a regulated activity without registration is an offence.

For supported living, CQC explains that the accommodation is generally not itself the regulated service. Instead, the care provided to people in their own homes is regulated.

This means a landlord offering a property to a supported living provider should not assume that the property itself needs to be "CQC registered" in the same way as a care home.

The provider's proposed care activities, service structure and management arrangements need to be assessed separately.

Property Location Matters

A suitable supported living property should be in a location that works for its intended residents.

Providers may look for access to:

• Bus routes

• Underground or Overground stations

• Shops

• GP surgeries

• Pharmacies

• Hospitals where relevant

• Community centres

• Employment

• Education

• Leisure facilities

• Parks and open spaces

For example, a supported living property in South London may be attractive if residents can reach local shops and transport independently without relying entirely on staff.

Location requirements should be based on the needs of the intended residents rather than simply selecting the cheapest available property.

Assess the Number and Configuration of Bedrooms

The number of bedrooms is only one part of the assessment.

A provider may also need to consider:

• Bedroom size

• Natural light

• Ventilation

• Storage

• Privacy

• Bathroom access

• Ground-floor accommodation

• Distance between bedrooms and communal areas

The layout should allow residents to have an appropriate degree of privacy while providing suitable communal areas.

Creating additional bedrooms by dividing large rooms is not necessarily the best approach if it leaves insufficient living space or creates other compliance issues.

Communal Space Is Important

Supported living should provide a suitable home environment rather than simply maximising occupancy.

Depending on the service, useful communal facilities may include:

• Living room

• Dining area

• Kitchen

• Utility space

• Garden or outdoor area

• Shared bathroom facilities

• Staff workspace where appropriate

The appropriate balance will depend on the residents and support model.

A property with fewer but better-proportioned rooms may sometimes be more suitable than a larger property that has been heavily subdivided.

Accessibility Can Determine Whether a Property Works

Accessibility should be assessed before the property is acquired or refurbished.

Potential requirements can include:

• Step-free entrance

• Ramps

• Wider doorways

• Accessible bathrooms

• Ground-floor bedrooms

• Handrails

• Adapted kitchens

• Suitable circulation space

• Accessible parking

A provider supporting people with physical disabilities may have very different property requirements from a provider supporting people who do not require significant mobility adaptations.

A narrow Victorian terrace in London, for example, may be difficult to adapt economically if extensive wheelchair accessibility is required.

Fire Safety Needs to Be Addressed

Fire safety should form part of the property assessment from the beginning.

Depending on the building and proposed use, considerations can include:

• Fire detection and alarm systems

• Fire doors

• Escape routes

• Emergency lighting

• Compartmentation

• Protected stairways

• Bedroom arrangements

• Communal areas

The layout, construction and management arrangements all need to be considered.

CQC's registration process can include consideration of the size, layout and design of premises where regulated care is provided, alongside other evidence that the provider can deliver safe, effective and well-led services.

Check Planning and Local Authority Requirements

CQC registration does not replace planning permission, building regulations, housing requirements or local licensing.

Before offering a property to a supported living provider, landlords should establish:

• Existing planning use

• Proposed use

• Whether planning permission is required

• HMO considerations

• Local licensing requirements

• Building regulations implications

• Lease restrictions where applicable

• Mortgage and insurance conditions

The planning position can depend on how the accommodation will operate and the relationship between residents, accommodation and support.

London boroughs can also have different local policies, so the specific address needs to be checked.

Review the Building's Condition

A supported living provider is unlikely to want a property with unresolved major defects.

Before agreeing a lease or refurbishment programme, inspect:

• Roof

• Structure

• Damp and mould

• Electrical systems

• Plumbing

• Heating

• Ventilation

• Windows

• Doors

• Flooring

• Kitchen

• Bathrooms

• External areas

Older London properties may require substantial refurbishment before they can comfortably support the intended service.

A detailed property assessment can help identify these issues before the provider commits to the property.

Refurbishment May Be Required

A property for a CQC supported living service may need works such as:

• Bathroom upgrades

• Kitchen refurbishment

• Electrical works

• Heating improvements

• Fire safety upgrades

• Accessibility adaptations

• Flooring

• Decoration

• Door upgrades

• Damp treatment

• General repairs

The refurbishment specification should be developed around the intended residents and provider requirements.

Fraser Bond can assist property owners with refurbishment, building works, repairs, contractor coordination and wider property services.

The Property Should Support Independence

CQC describes supported living as accommodation where people receive care and support designed to promote independence and autonomy.

This has practical implications for property selection.

Where appropriate, the accommodation should allow residents to:

• Have private living space

• Use communal facilities

• Access local amenities

• Move around the property safely

• Develop independent living skills

• Maintain privacy

• Receive support without unnecessarily restricting their independence

The property should feel like a home rather than an institutional environment.

CQC Registration Requires More Than a Suitable Property

A suitable building does not automatically mean a provider will receive CQC registration.

CQC requires providers to demonstrate that they can provide safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services. Providers must have the relevant arrangements, policies, people and evidence in place.

CQC's current registration guidance also requires providers to submit supporting documentation. Depending on the service, this can include items such as a statement of purpose, safeguarding procedures, recruitment policies, governance arrangements, complaints procedures and other supporting evidence.

The property is therefore one part of a much wider CQC registration process.

The Property May Need to Be Ready Before Applying

CQC states that applicants should only submit their application when everything is in place to start providing the service, including the locations and staff required. CQC may refuse an application where premises are not suitable.

For a property owner working with a new supported living provider, this makes preparation particularly important.

The parties should establish what needs to be completed before the provider applies, rather than assuming that outstanding property works can simply be dealt with after registration.

Property Management Responsibilities Should Be Clear

Once the supported living service begins, the property still needs ongoing management.

Depending on the agreement, responsibilities may include:

• General repairs

• Emergency repairs

• Plumbing

• Heating

• Electrical maintenance

• Pest control

• Damp and mould management

• Garden maintenance

• External repairs

• Contractor access

• Compliance inspections

The supported living provider's responsibility for care does not automatically mean that it is responsible for every aspect of the physical property.

Landlords and operators should agree clearly who is responsible for each property-related obligation.

What Landlords Should Prepare for a Supported Living Provider

A landlord offering property to a supported living provider should ideally have information available about:

• Property address

• Number of bedrooms

• Floor area

• Bathrooms

• Property type

• Current planning position

• HMO status where applicable

• EPC

• Accessibility features

• Parking

• Garden or outdoor space

• Property condition

• Recent refurbishment

• Available certificates

• Proposed rent

• Lease terms

• Repair responsibilities

This makes it easier for the provider to assess whether the property fits its service model.

Fraser Bond Can Help Find Property for CQC Supported Living Services

Fraser Bond works with landlords, investors, developers and property owners across London and the wider UK on property transactions and practical property requirements.

For clients looking for property for a CQC supported living service, Fraser Bond can assist with:

• Property sourcing

• Property sales and acquisitions

• Lettings

• Property management

• Refurbishment

• Building works

• Repairs and maintenance

• Compliance support

• Contractor coordination

• Development consultancy

• Property upgrades

• Landlord support

Where a property needs to be adapted before being offered to a supported living provider, Fraser Bond can also assist with coordinating relevant building and refurbishment requirements.

CQC registration itself remains the responsibility of the care provider, and specialist regulatory advice should be obtained where required.

Checklist for Property for a CQC Supported Living Service

Before committing to a property, review:

• Intended resident group

• Care and support model

• Number of residents

• Bedroom configuration

• Communal space

• Accessibility

• Fire safety

• Building condition

• Planning position

• Licensing

• Building regulations

• EPC and energy performance

• Transport links

• Local amenities

• Security

• Refurbishment requirements

• Insurance

• Repair responsibilities

• Provider requirements

This assessment can help landlords avoid offering properties that look suitable on paper but are impractical for the intended service.

Find Suitable Property for Your Supported Living Service

A property for a CQC supported living service needs to work as a home for residents while fitting the provider's care model and wider regulatory responsibilities.

Fraser Bond can support landlords, investors and supported living operators with property sourcing, property assessment, refurbishment, building works, repairs, compliance coordination, lettings and property management across London and the UK.

If you are looking for property for a supported living service, speak with Fraser Bond about your requirements before committing to a purchase, lease or major refurbishment project.