Supported living has become one of the fastest‑growing areas in the UK housing sector, offering landlords a way to achieve long‑term, stable income while contributing to socially impactful housing. As more advisers encounter clients exploring this space, understanding how the model works is becoming increasingly important.
This guide breaks down the essentials, from the types of tenants involved to the specialist lending considerations advisers should be aware of.
What is supported living?
Supported living is a housing model designed to help individuals maintain independence while receiving tailored support. The accommodation is typically provided by a private landlord, while care and assistance are delivered by a support provider or local authority partner.
For many tenants, traditional rental housing is unsuitable supported living bridges that gap with accommodation that aligns with their needs.
Who is supported living for?
Supported living homes can serve a wide range of individuals who require ongoing or personalised support, including:
- People with physical or learning disabilities
- Those with mental health needs
- Individuals recovering from addiction
- People at risk of homelessness
- Older tenants requiring additional assistance
- Those with complex or long‑term care needs
This breadth of need is one of the reasons demand continues to rise.
A growing market for landlords
According to the National Housing Federation, the UK will require more than 167,000 additional supported housing units by 2040, a 33% increase on current capacity. This sustained demand is prompting many landlords to consider diversifying into the sector, particularly as pressures increase in mainstream buy‑to‑let.
Some landlords are converting existing properties to meet supported housing standards, while others are acquiring properties specifically to lease to housing associations or care providers.
How providers work with landlords
Most supported living arrangements involve a care provider or housing association taking a long‑term lease of the property. For landlords, this often offers several advantages:
- Stable, predictable income through multi‑year leases (commonly 3–7 years)
- Lower void risk, with rent payable throughout the lease term
- Reduced management burden, as maintenance is frequently handled by the provider
For advisers, understanding the lease structure is key, as it can influence finance options.
Financing supported living properties
Supported living doesn’t always fit neatly into standard lending criteria. Traditional lenders may be cautious about properties with corporate leases, 24‑hour staffing, or tenants who fall outside typical AST arrangements.
This is where specialist lenders play a crucial role.
Quantum Mortgages offers criteria tailored to the supported living model enabling advisers to place cases that may otherwise struggle to find a home.
What Quantum Mortgages can consider
- Tenancies with 24/7 live‑in or visiting carers
- Tenants under 18 years old
- Corporate leases up to 7 years with no break clause
- Leases with any social or vulnerable tenant provider, without requiring CQC registration
- Potential consideration of longer‑term agreements on a case‑by‑case basis
- Properties with C3, C4 or Sui Generis use
- No pricing premium applied solely because carers operate in the property
- Any type of vulnerable tenant accepted – no restrictions on tenant type
Quantum’s approach is built around understanding the operational realities of supported living, allowing advisers to serve landlords entering or expanding within this market.
Conveyancing made simple
Despite the specialist nature of the sector, conveyancing requirements remain flexible. Any legal firm with a minimum of three SRA‑regulated managers can act on a dual representation basis, helping advisers keep processes straightforward for clients.
Working together to support your clients
Supported living continues to grow in importance as local authorities and providers seek suitable housing to meet increasing demand. For advisers, the ability to identify appropriate finance solutions is crucial, particularly when clients are navigating unfamiliar territory.
Quantum Mortgages works closely with social housing landlords, providers and intermediaries, offering both product solutions and specialist insight to support complex case placement.
If you’re working with a landlord considering supported living, or you have a case requiring a more nuanced lending approach, our team is on hand to help.
Find out more
Visit the Quantum Mortgages website to find out more about our lending criteria and products. If you have any questions or cases you’d like to discuss with our team, call our Broker Support team on 01908 909650 and choose option 1.