Wheelchair Accessible Care Home Property: Finding Suitable UK Accommodation

A practical guide for care providers, landlords, investors and developers looking for wheelchair accessible care home property across the UK

Finding suitable wheelchair accessible care home property requires more than identifying a building with a ramp at the entrance. A care home needs to support residents throughout the property, from bedrooms and bathrooms to communal areas, kitchens, gardens, parking and emergency access.

For care providers and property owners, accessibility should be considered alongside the intended care model, building regulations, fire safety, planning requirements, refurbishment costs and the long-term needs of residents.

Fraser Bond works with landlords, investors, care providers and property owners across London and the UK to source, assess, refurbish and manage specialist property.

What makes a care home property wheelchair accessible?

A wheelchair accessible care home should allow residents to move safely and comfortably through the areas they are expected to use.

Depending on the type of care provided and the residents' needs, important considerations can include:

• Step-free access into the building

• Suitable entrance and internal door widths

• Accessible bedrooms

• Wheelchair-friendly bathrooms

• Level-access showers or wet rooms

• Adequate circulation space

• Accessible communal areas

• Suitable kitchen arrangements

• Wheelchair storage

• Accessible gardens and outdoor areas

• Suitable parking and drop-off facilities

• Appropriate lifts where required

• Accessible switches, controls and sockets

• Safe emergency evacuation arrangements

Approved Document M provides building-regulation guidance covering access and use of buildings in England. Its dwelling standards include M4(2) accessible and adaptable dwellings and M4(3) wheelchair-user dwellings, although the applicable requirements depend on the type of building and planning circumstances.

Step-free access should be assessed throughout the property

The entrance is only one part of accessibility.

A care home may have a ramp at the front door but still be unsuitable if residents cannot easily reach bedrooms, dining rooms, lounges, bathrooms or outdoor spaces.

When inspecting a property, consider the complete journey a wheelchair user would make:

• From the vehicle to the entrance

• Through the front door

• From reception to communal areas

• From communal areas to bedrooms

• From bedrooms to bathrooms

• From the building to outdoor spaces

• To emergency exits where applicable

For wheelchair-user housing, government guidance refers to step-free access, sufficient internal space and suitable access to associated parking, outdoor and communal facilities.

Bedrooms need enough circulation space

A conventional bedroom may not provide sufficient space for a wheelchair user.

The layout should allow residents to approach and use the bed, wardrobe, storage and other facilities without creating unnecessary restrictions.

Depending on the resident's needs, there may also need to be space for:

• Wheelchairs

• Walking aids

• Specialist beds

• Hoists

• Medical or care equipment

• Carer assistance

• Transfer equipment

When evaluating a property for a care home, it is therefore important to look at usable space rather than simply counting the number of bedrooms.

A property with fewer but appropriately sized rooms may be more practical than a larger building where extensive structural alterations would be required.

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms and wet rooms

Bathrooms are one of the most important areas to assess before purchasing or leasing a care home property.

Potential features include:

• Level-access showers

• Appropriate turning space

• Accessible toilets

• Grab rails

• Suitable wash basins

• Emergency assistance systems where required

• Non-slip flooring

• Easy-to-operate taps and controls

• Appropriate shower seating

• Space for carers to provide assistance

Approved Document M Volume 2 includes guidance covering wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and shower facilities in buildings other than dwellings.

Where an existing building requires substantial bathroom alterations, the refurbishment cost should be established before the property is acquired.

Communal areas must also be accessible

Care home residents should not be restricted to their bedrooms because communal areas are difficult to access.

Potential communal spaces include:

• Lounges

• Dining rooms

• Activity rooms

• Reception areas

• Corridors

• Gardens

• Terraces

• Outdoor seating areas

The layout should allow wheelchair users to participate in everyday activities alongside other residents.

This can make the overall floor plan particularly important when assessing larger houses, former residential buildings and purpose-built care properties.

Kitchens and dining facilities

Where residents use communal dining facilities, the dining area should provide adequate space for wheelchair users and carers.

For care homes where residents have some independence in food preparation, kitchen accessibility may also be important.

Possible considerations include:

• Clear circulation routes

• Appropriate worktop heights

• Accessible controls

• Suitable appliance positioning

• Adequate lighting

• Accessible storage

• Safe flooring

• Sufficient space for assistance

The exact specification should reflect the resident group and the service model.

Lifts and multi-storey care homes

A multi-storey property can potentially work as a care home, but vertical access requires careful assessment.

If wheelchair users are expected to use upper floors, the building may require an appropriate lift or other compliant access arrangement.

The existing staircase, lift potential, floor layouts and evacuation strategy should all be considered before committing to a property.

Installing a lift in an older London property can also involve significant structural work, so the feasibility should be investigated during the property due-diligence stage.

Outdoor areas and parking matter too

Accessibility should extend beyond the internal accommodation.

A suitable wheelchair accessible care home property may need:

• Step-free garden access

• Suitable paths

• Accessible outdoor seating

• Level routes between parking and entrances

• Appropriate drop-off arrangements

• Space for adapted vehicles

• Adequate external lighting

London properties can present particular challenges because of narrow front gardens, steps, limited parking and constrained rear access.

These issues do not automatically make a property unsuitable, but they can materially affect refurbishment costs and the practicality of the care home operation.

Consider fire safety and emergency evacuation

Accessibility cannot be assessed separately from fire safety.

A wheelchair user may require additional assistance during an emergency, particularly in a multi-storey care environment.

The property's layout, escape routes, fire doors, alarm systems, compartmentation and evacuation arrangements should therefore be assessed as part of the overall property review.

The National Statement of Expectations for supported housing also requires accommodation to comply with relevant building, fire safety and accessibility requirements.

For a care home, the exact requirements will depend on the building, service and regulatory arrangements, so specialist fire and building advice may be necessary.

Buying an existing property for a wheelchair accessible care home

Existing properties can sometimes be converted or refurbished for specialist care use.

Potential property types include:

• Large detached houses

• Former residential care homes

• Former nursing homes

• Specialist supported housing

• Large purpose-built residential buildings

• Former hotels or guest accommodation

• Suitable commercial or institutional buildings subject to planning and regulatory considerations

Before purchasing, investors and care providers should assess:

1. Existing accessibility

2. Property layout

3. Number and size of bedrooms

4. Bathroom configuration

5. Lift requirements

6. Parking

7. Fire safety

8. Planning considerations

9. Building condition

10. Cost of adaptations

11. Local demand

12. Suitability for the proposed care model

A property that looks inexpensive may become considerably more expensive once structural accessibility works, fire upgrades and refurbishment are included.

Refurbishing a property for wheelchair users

Some properties can be transformed through carefully planned refurbishment.

Typical works may include:

• Entrance ramps

• Door widening

• Bathroom conversions

• Wet-room installation

• Kitchen adaptations

• Lift installation

• Handrails

• Accessible flooring

• Improved lighting

• Door and corridor alterations

• Garden access improvements

• Parking alterations

• Specialist equipment installation

The feasibility of each alteration should be established before work starts.

Fraser Bond can help coordinate property refurbishment, building works, contractors, repairs and ongoing property requirements where appropriate.

Care home property and CQC considerations

A care home is not simply a residential property with accessibility adaptations.

Where people are accommodated and receive personal or nursing care, CQC identifies care homes as locations for regulated activity.

This means the property needs to be considered alongside the proposed care service and its regulatory requirements.

CQC registration, premises suitability, staffing, governance, safety and the proposed care model should therefore be considered as part of the wider project.

Property owners should also avoid assuming that a property is suitable for a care home simply because it has previously been used for residential purposes.

Leasing wheelchair accessible property to a care provider

Landlords who own suitable accessible property may consider leasing it to an established care provider.

Before agreeing a lease, the landlord should understand:

• The provider's intended use

• Number of residents

• Resident needs

• Proposed adaptations

• Responsibility for refurbishment

• Repair obligations

• Maintenance arrangements

• Insurance

• Planning and licensing considerations

• Reinstatement obligations

• Lease length

Where significant accessibility works are required, the lease should clearly establish who is responsible for funding and maintaining those improvements.

Finding wheelchair accessible care home property in London

London has demand for specialist accommodation, but suitable properties can be difficult to identify.

Older buildings may offer large floor areas but have steps, narrow corridors, small bathrooms or complicated layouts. Newer buildings may provide better accessibility but can have higher acquisition costs or restrictions on alterations.

A specialist property search can therefore consider:

• Borough

• Transport links

• Local amenities

• Healthcare access

• Parking

• Building size

• Bedroom configuration

• Accessibility

• Planning position

• Refurbishment potential

• Acquisition or rental cost

The best property for a particular care provider will ultimately depend on its resident profile and operational requirements.

How Fraser Bond can help with wheelchair accessible care home property

Fraser Bond provides property consultancy and related services for landlords, investors, care providers and property owners across London and the UK.

Depending on the project, services can include:

• Care home property sourcing

• Accessible property searches

• Property acquisition

• Property leasing

• Property inspections

• Refurbishment consultancy

• Building works

• Contractor coordination

• Property repairs

• Maintenance

• Property management

• Investment advice

• Development consultancy

For providers searching for wheelchair accessible care home property, the process can begin with a clear specification covering the required location, resident profile, number of rooms, accessibility requirements, outdoor space, parking and refurbishment budget.

For landlords and investors, the same process can help determine whether an existing property has realistic potential for specialist care use.

Choose the property around the people who will live there

A wheelchair accessible care home needs to do more than satisfy a checklist. It should provide residents with safe, practical access to their bedrooms, bathrooms, communal spaces and outdoor areas while allowing staff to deliver care effectively.

The most effective property searches start with the needs of the intended residents and work backwards into the required building specification.

If you are a care provider looking for wheelchair accessible care home property, or a landlord or investor with a property that may be suitable for specialist care use, Fraser Bond can help with property sourcing, assessment, refurbishment and ongoing property services.

Contact Fraser Bond to discuss your wheelchair accessible care home property requirements, preferred location and refurbishment needs.