Property for Young Adults Supported Living - Finding Suitable Accommodation

Property Requirements, Location Factors and Leasing Opportunities for Young Adult Supported Living

Finding suitable property for young adults supported living requires careful consideration of the accommodation itself, the needs of residents and the way support services will operate.

Young adults may require supported living as they transition towards greater independence because of learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, physical disabilities or other support requirements. The right property should provide a genuine home environment while allowing residents to develop everyday living skills and maintain as much independence as possible.

In England, supported living generally involves people living in their own homes while receiving care or support tailored to their needs. The Care Quality Commission regulates the care provided, while the individual accommodation is generally not itself a CQC location in the same way as a care home.

What Type of Property Works for Young Adult Supported Living?

There is no single property type suitable for every supported living service. The appropriate choice depends on the residents, level of support, occupancy model and requirements of the provider.

Potential properties can include:

• Detached houses

• Semi-detached houses

• Large terraced houses

• Bungalows

• Self-contained flats

• Small blocks of flats

• Purpose-adapted residential properties

• Larger houses suitable for shared supported living

The property should provide sufficient private space while also allowing residents to access communal areas where appropriate.

For working-age disabled people, current government housing programmes recognise both purpose-designed and designated supported living as forms of specialist and supported housing.

Property Requirements for Young Adults

A supported living provider may look for a property with:

• Suitable individual bedrooms

• Adequate bathrooms

• A practical kitchen

• Comfortable communal areas

• Good natural lighting

• Reliable heating and hot water

• Appropriate storage

• Safe entrances and exits

• Suitable outdoor space where possible

• Good accessibility

• Space for staff facilities where required

The exact specification will depend on the residents who will use the property.

For example, accommodation for young adults with physical disabilities may require more extensive accessibility adaptations, while a property for young adults developing independent living skills may place greater emphasis on practical kitchens, communal areas and proximity to local amenities.

Creating a Home Rather Than an Institution

The environment can have an important role in supporting independence.

A young adult supported living property should ideally feel like a normal home rather than an institutional facility. Residents should have appropriate privacy and opportunities to make choices about their daily lives.

Communal kitchens and living spaces can also allow residents to practise everyday skills such as:

• Cooking

• Cleaning

• Shopping

• Budgeting

• Laundry

• Household organisation

• Managing appointments

• Using public transport

Government expectations for supported housing emphasise safe, well-maintained accommodation that is appropriate for residents and supports privacy, dignity and independent living.

Location Matters for Young Adult Supported Living

Location is particularly important when sourcing property for young adults.

A suitable property may need convenient access to:

• Public transport

• Colleges and training centres

• Employment opportunities

• Shops and supermarkets

• Healthcare services

• Leisure facilities

• Parks and community spaces

• Social and support networks

Good transport connections can help residents travel independently rather than relying on staff for every journey.

Local demand should also be considered. Councils in England are now required to develop Local Supported Housing Strategies that consider existing supply, unmet need and future demand for supported housing.

Accessibility and Adaptation

Some young adults may require properties that can be adapted to their individual needs.

Depending on the residents, adaptations could include:

• Level-access entrances

• Wider doorways

• Accessible bathrooms

• Adapted kitchens

• Handrails

• Improved lighting

• Accessible parking

• Improved circulation space

• Specialist equipment

Not every property needs to be fully accessible when purchased. However, investors and landlords should establish whether the building can reasonably accommodate the adaptations required by the intended provider.

Fire Safety and Property Compliance

Before a property is leased for supported living, its condition and compliance requirements should be reviewed carefully.

Important considerations can include:

• Fire detection and alarm systems

• Emergency escape routes

• Electrical safety

• Gas safety

• Carbon monoxide alarms

• Structural condition

• Damp and mould

• Security

• Heating and hot water

• HHSRS hazards

• Planning requirements

• HMO licensing where applicable

Supported housing expectations also require properties to comply with relevant housing, building and fire safety requirements and to be free from serious hazards.

Leasing Property to a Supported Living Provider

Landlords who do not want to operate a supported living service themselves may consider leasing their property to an established provider.

The provider may require a longer-term arrangement and could have specific requirements relating to:

• Number of residents

• Number of bedrooms

• Location

• Property condition

• Lease length

• Rent

• Repairs

• Maintenance

• Alterations

• Insurance

• Compliance responsibilities

The proposed lease should clearly establish the responsibilities of the landlord and operator.

Landlords should also carry out appropriate checks on the provider before entering into a long-term agreement.

Refurbishing Property for Young Adult Supported Living

A property that is structurally sound may still require refurbishment before it is suitable.

Common works can include:

• Decorating bedrooms and communal areas

• Upgrading kitchens

• Refurbishing bathrooms

• Replacing flooring

• Improving lighting

• Upgrading heating

• Repairing windows and doors

• Improving security

• Addressing damp

• Installing suitable safety systems

• Creating more practical communal areas

Refurbishment should be based on the requirements of the supported living model rather than simply increasing the property's specification.

Buying Property for Young Adult Supported Living

Investors considering purchasing property specifically for supported living should investigate the intended use before completing the acquisition.

Questions to establish early include:

• Who will live in the property?

• How many residents are expected?

• What support needs will they have?

• Will residents have individual tenancies?

• Will staff be present continuously or intermittently?

• Does the property need adaptations?

• Does planning permission need to be considered?

• Could HMO licensing apply?

• Who will be responsible for maintenance?

• Is there local demand for this type of accommodation?

These factors can significantly affect whether a property is commercially and operationally suitable.

Supported Living Property Investment

Supported living is part of the wider specialist and supported housing sector in England. Current government housing policy recognises supported living for working-age disabled people and includes both purpose-designed and designated forms of supported living.

However, investors should assess each opportunity individually. The strength of a supported living property investment depends on factors such as the location, acquisition price, refurbishment costs, lease structure, operator, demand and suitability of the building.

A property should not be purchased solely because it is large enough. Its ability to meet the requirements of the intended supported living service is equally important.

Finding Property for Young Adults Supported Living in London

London offers a wide range of residential properties that could potentially be considered for young adult supported living.

Larger houses in suburban locations can provide several bedrooms and communal areas, while flats and smaller properties may be appropriate for more individualised accommodation models.

Areas such as Croydon, Bromley, Enfield, Barnet, Ealing, Hounslow and other London locations may offer different combinations of property stock, transport access and local services.

The right area ultimately depends on the needs of the residents and the requirements of the supported living provider.

Working With Fraser Bond

Fraser Bond can assist landlords, investors and supported living operators with property sourcing, property assessment, refurbishment coordination, maintenance and wider property consultancy.

For owners looking for property for young adults supported living, the objective should be to identify accommodation that works for both the operator and the people who will ultimately live there.

Whether you already own a property or are looking to acquire one, assessing the building, location, intended use and required works at an early stage can help avoid costly problems later.

Finding the Right Supported Living Property

The best starting point for any young adult supported living property search is a clear specification.

Once the provider's requirements are understood, properties can be assessed against factors such as size, layout, location, accessibility, safety, planning considerations and refurbishment potential.

Fraser Bond can support property owners and supported accommodation operators looking to source, prepare, lease or manage suitable specialist residential property across London and the wider UK.