Supported Living Properties Required - Find Suitable UK Property

Supported Living Properties Required by Care Providers, Housing Operators and Specialist Providers - A Practical Guide for Landlords, Investors and Property Owners

When supported living properties are required, operators are typically looking for suitable accommodation that allows people to live as independently as possible while receiving the appropriate care or support. For landlords and property owners, this can create opportunities to lease or sell residential and specialist properties to supported living providers.

However, supported living is not simply another term for a care home. The accommodation and care arrangements can be structured separately, and the suitability of a property depends on the people it is intended to support, the operator's model and the property's planning position.

Fraser Bond can help property owners assess potential supported living opportunities, coordinate appropriate property works and connect suitable buildings with specialist operators.

What Properties Are Required for Supported Living?

Supported living operators can have different requirements depending on the people they support and the model they operate.

Properties required may include:

• Houses

• Flats

• Bungalows

• Large residential properties

• Shared houses

• Former care properties

• Former supported living properties

• Specialist accommodation

• Properties requiring refurbishment

• Buildings suitable for adaptation

• Properties available for long-term lease

• Properties available for purchase

A provider supporting adults with learning disabilities may have different requirements from one supporting people with mental health needs, physical disabilities or other support requirements.

The operator's specification should therefore be established before deciding whether a property is suitable.

What Do Supported Living Operators Look For?

A supported living provider may assess:

• Number of bedrooms

• Bedroom sizes

• Bathrooms

• Kitchen facilities

• Communal areas

• Private living space

• Accessibility

• Outdoor space

• Parking

• Security

• Fire safety

• Heating

• Electrical systems

• Location

• Public transport

• Access to shops and services

• Proximity to healthcare facilities

The importance of each feature depends on the intended residents.

For example, a property intended for people with mobility needs may require accessible entrances, suitable bathrooms and appropriate circulation space. A property for people who can live more independently may have a different specification.

Supported Living Is Different From a Care Home

Property owners should understand the distinction before marketing a building.

CQC explains that supported living can involve accommodation and personal care being provided separately, allowing residents to choose a different care provider. In these circumstances, the accommodation is generally not regulated by CQC as a care home, although the personal care service may require registration.

CQC also describes supported living as arrangements where people live in their own homes and receive care or support intended to promote independence.

This means that a landlord providing accommodation to a supported living provider does not automatically become a regulated care provider.

The contractual arrangements between the housing and care elements should be properly understood.

Houses Required for Supported Living

Houses can be particularly relevant to supported living operators.

A suitable property may contain several bedrooms, shared facilities and communal space while still providing residents with an appropriate home environment.

For example, a five-bedroom house in South London could potentially be considered by a provider looking for accommodation for a small group of adults, subject to the intended model, planning position and suitability of the property.

The operator may require some adaptation to the building, but major conversion is not necessarily appropriate for every supported living model.

Flats and Apartments for Supported Living

Supported living does not necessarily require a large house.

Individual flats or apartments can also be suitable, particularly where residents are expected to live more independently.

A provider may require:

• Self-contained accommodation

• Accessible entrances

• Suitable bathrooms

• Kitchen facilities

• Nearby public transport

• Local shops

• Access to healthcare

• Communal facilities where appropriate

For landlords with residential flats, supported living can therefore be one potential specialist market to consider.

Former Care Homes for Supported Living

Former care homes may sometimes attract supported living operators, particularly where the existing building has features that could be adapted to a different model.

However, a former care home should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for supported living.

The proposed arrangement should be assessed in relation to:

• Existing planning use

• Proposed use

• Number of occupants

• Property layout

• Individual or shared accommodation

• Care arrangements

• Building condition

• Fire safety

• Accessibility

• Local planning requirements

A change from one use to another may require planning permission or prior approval depending on the circumstances. The Planning Portal recommends confirming the position with the relevant local planning authority.

Planning for Supported Living Properties

Planning is particularly important because “supported living” can describe different accommodation models.

The Planning Portal identifies C3(b) as covering up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care, including supported housing schemes for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems. C2, meanwhile, covers residential institutions including residential care homes and nursing homes.

The correct planning position depends on the actual use and circumstances of the property.

Property owners should therefore establish the existing lawful use and proposed operation before agreeing a lease or undertaking substantial conversion works.

Where there is uncertainty, advice from the relevant local planning authority and an appropriately qualified planning professional can help clarify the position.

CQC and Supported Living

CQC's role also differs between supported living and care home arrangements.

For supported living, CQC explains that the accommodation is generally not regulated as a care home because people receive care and housing under separate contractual arrangements. The care provider may nevertheless need to register for regulated personal care.

CQC also explains that supported living services can involve shared accommodation or individual properties, with the care service managed from the provider's relevant location.

For a landlord, this makes it important to understand exactly what the proposed operator intends to provide from the property rather than simply labelling the building as “supported living”.

Leasing Property to a Supported Living Provider

Leasing can be an attractive option for owners with suitable properties.

A supported living lease or related arrangement may need to address:

• Lease length

• Rent

• Rent reviews

• Repairs

• Maintenance

• Insurance

• Refurbishment

• Alterations

• Compliance responsibilities

• Assignment

• Subletting

• Occupancy arrangements

• Break clauses

• Reinstatement

The structure should reflect the actual supported living model and the responsibilities of the parties.

A property owner should obtain appropriate legal advice before entering into a specialist lease.

Selling Supported Living Property

Some owners may prefer to sell their property to a supported living operator, housing provider or specialist investor.

Potential buyers can include:

• Supported living providers

• Housing organisations

• Specialist investors

• Property developers

• Healthcare businesses

• Social care operators

• Specialist property companies

A property's planning position, location, condition, layout and potential for adaptation can all influence its appeal.

A specialist marketing strategy can help expose the property to buyers who understand supported living accommodation.

Should You Refurbish Before Finding an Operator?

Not necessarily.

Supported living providers can have very different requirements.

One operator may need accessible bathrooms and ground-floor accommodation, while another may prefer a conventional house that requires minimal alteration.

Potential works could include:

• Bathroom upgrades

• Accessibility improvements

• Fire safety works

• Kitchen improvements

• Heating upgrades

• Electrical works

• Internal reconfiguration

• Security improvements

• Communal area improvements

• External works

Before committing significant funds, it can be sensible to establish what type of operator is likely to use the property and what its requirements are.

Due Diligence on Supported Living Providers

Property owners should carry out appropriate checks before agreeing a lease or sale.

Useful areas to consider include:

• Company history

• Financial position

• Existing supported living operations

• Management experience

• CQC registration where relevant

• Business plan

• References

• Insurance

• Proposed resident group

• Intended use

• Refurbishment plans

• Lease requirements

Where personal care is being provided as part of the service, the operator should establish whether CQC registration is required.

The property's owner should also understand the operator's proposed accommodation model and responsibilities before entering into a commercial arrangement.

Supported Living Properties Required in London

London has a broad range of residential properties that may potentially interest supported living providers.

Operators may look for properties in North London, South London, West London and other areas depending on their existing services and the needs of the people they support.

Location can be particularly important because supported living is intended to help people live as independently as possible within the community.

Transport, local shops, healthcare services, employment opportunities, community facilities and accessibility can therefore all influence an operator's assessment.

How to Market a Supported Living Property

A property marketed to supported living providers should contain accurate information about its characteristics.

Useful details include:

• Location

• Property type

• Floor area

• Number of bedrooms

• Number of bathrooms

• Existing use

• Planning position

• Parking

• Outdoor space

• Accessibility

• Building condition

• Previous specialist use

• Availability

• Lease or sale preference

• Refurbishment potential

Clear information helps operators quickly establish whether a property matches their requirements.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Fraser Bond can assist landlords, investors and property owners with supported living property opportunities across the UK.

Depending on the property, this can include assessing suitability, identifying potential supported living uses, coordinating refurbishment and building works, preparing the property for specialist marketing, identifying suitable operators and supporting lease or sale negotiations.

If you own a house, flat, former care property or other building that could potentially work as supported living accommodation, Fraser Bond can help assess its realistic potential and position it for the appropriate specialist market.

The objective is to create a suitable match between the property, the operator and the intended accommodation model.