CQC registration document guidance

Care Home Evidence of Legal Occupancy

When applying to register a care home with CQC, you need evidence showing that you have the legal right to use the premises from which you intend to provide the regulated service.

Why this matters for your registration

  • •It helps demonstrate that your proposed care home has an established physical location and that you have appropriate permission to operate your care service from that property.
  • •Your evidence should be valid, specific to the premises and consistent with the location identified in your CQC application and Statement of Purpose.
  • •Having permission simply to occupy a property may not be enough. The documentation should support the specific use you are proposing for the premises.

What you should prepare

  • •Title deeds demonstrating ownership where you own the premises, and written mortgage-provider permission where the property is mortgaged and additional approval is required.
  • •A valid tenancy agreement plus written landlord permission confirming that the property can be used for the proposed care home service if you rent the premises.
  • •A valid licence agreement and any additional written permission required from the property owner if you occupy the premises under licence.
  • •Written permission that identifies the property, identifies the provider receiving permission, states that the premises may be used for the specific care home service, and is signed and dated.
  • •Evidence that clearly establishes your organisation's right to occupy and use the actual care home premises shown in your application.
  • •Premises information that matches your application, Statement of Purpose, legal occupancy evidence, property address and proposed service details consistently.

Before you submit

  • •Avoid relying only on wording such as general business use permitted if it does not clearly cover the care home service you intend to operate.
  • •Do not use virtual office addresses, unsupported PO Boxes, expired tenancy or licence agreements, or documents for a different property.
  • •Check whether the provider or its directors actually own the property; if not, make sure the real owner has given suitable written permission.
  • •Also assess whether the premises are appropriate for residents, staff areas, confidentiality, fire safety, infection prevention, storage, maintenance and environmental safety.

Need help?

Support with your CQC documents

We can help you understand the supporting premises evidence required for your care home application and identify gaps before submission.

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