CQC Location Requirements: A Clear Guide for Care Businesses

Understanding CQC location rules and evidence requirements following recent updates

Introduction

One of the most confusing aspects of CQC registration for care businesses is understanding location requirements. With registration delays extending beyond six months and new stricter processes launched from July 1st 2025 that routinely return incomplete applications, getting your location documentation right from the start is more critical than ever.

This guide addresses the most common questions we encounter as compliance consultants, particularly around working from home, virtual offices, and cost-effective alternatives during the lengthy registration process.

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Key Questions Answered

Can I Use My Home Address as a CQC Location?

Yes, but with important conditions. The CQC guidance on what is a location is clear that a location is not “the private address of a person who uses services,” but it does allow home-based business operations under specific circumstances.

Many providers, particularly small family-run businesses and start-ups, choose their home address as their registered location. This is particularly common in domiciliary care where the registered location is where care is organised or managed, whilst the actual care takes place in service users’ homes.

Starting a Care Business? Our care business setup guide covers all the essential steps for getting your business registered and compliant.

Requirements for Home-Based Locations:

Legal Occupancy Evidence:

Proof of legal right to operate a business from the property
Written permission from landlord or mortgage provider if not fully owned
Evidence that the property can be used for your specific service type

Practical Considerations:

Security: Lockable, fireproof storage for confidential information
Access: Separate entrance considerations for staff and service users
Privacy: Ability to conduct confidential meetings without family overhearing
Professional Environment: Suitable for staff supervisions, interviews, and meetings

What Evidence Do I Need for Legal Occupancy?

The CQC requires specific documentation to prove your legal right to operate from your chosen location. Full details can be found in the CQC personal care registration guidance.

Accepted Evidence (one of the following):

Title deeds (if you own the premises)
Tenancy agreement
Licence agreement

Additional Requirements:

If you don’t fully own the premises, you must provide written permission from:

Your landlord, or
Mortgage provider

This permission must:

Clearly state the property can be used for your specific service type
Be signed and dated
Be valid at the time of application

What CQC Will NOT Accept:

Virtual offices
PO Box addresses without full physical addresses
Mortgage statements without specific business permission
General business use permission that doesn’t mention your specific service type

Documentation Support: Need help preparing your legal occupancy evidence? Our CQC application support service ensures all your documentation meets CQC requirements.

Cost-Effective Alternatives During the Registration Process

Given registration delays can exceed six months, here are practical alternatives to expensive office rentals:

1. Serviced Office Solutions

Hot-desking arrangements: Pay per use rather than monthly rent
Meeting room hire: For confidential meetings when needed
Business address services: Some provide registered office services

2. Shared Office Spaces

Co-working spaces: Often include business address services
Professional suites: Shared reception and meeting facilities
Flexible terms: Month-to-month agreements available

3. Family/Friend Property Arrangements

Use a family member’s or friend’s property with proper documentation
Ensure written permission clearly states business use
Consider insurance implications

4. Temporary Commercial Arrangements

Short-term commercial leases: Some landlords offer flexible terms
Business centres: Often more flexible than traditional office leases
Professional addresses: Through business service providers

Recent CQC Updates (July 2025)

From July 1st 2025, CQC launched part 2 of their pilot to make homecare registrations more efficient. They now routinely return and reject applications that are incomplete, with rejected applications losing their place in the queue and counting as new applications when resubmitted.

This makes getting your location documentation right the first time absolutely critical.

Key Changes:

Zero tolerance for incomplete applications
Immediate rejection rather than requests for additional information
Loss of queue position for resubmissions
Enhanced scrutiny of location evidence

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The 9 CQC Location Rules – Quick Reference

Understanding these rules helps determine if your proposed location fits CQC requirements. Full details are available in the CQC’s official location guidance:

Admission locations – Places where people are admitted for healthcare
Residential care – Where people live and receive care
Urgent care facilities – Walk-in centres, minor injuries units
Primary care premises – GP surgeries, dental practices
Domiciliary care offices – Where home care is organised/managed
Ambulance service bases – Operational management locations
Diagnostic facilities – Stand-alone permanent facilities
Remote clinical advice centres – NHS 111 type services
Other regulated activities – Activities not covered by rules 1-8

For domiciliary care providers, Rule 5 is most relevant – your location is where you organise and manage care delivery to people’s homes.

Understanding Compliance: Our CQC compliance training helps you understand all aspects of regulatory requirements.

What Is NOT a CQC Location

The CQC is explicit about what cannot be registered as a location:

Service users’ private addresses
PO Box addresses (without full physical address)
Virtual offices – Not considered physical premises for inspection purposes
Temporary premises – Hotels, short-term serviced offices for recruitment only
Mail-only addresses – Used solely for receiving post

Practical Steps for Registration Success

1. Before Applying

Research local demand – CQC requires market research evidence (see our market research guide)
Secure appropriate location – Ensure all documentation is complete
Prepare evidence packages – Don’t wait until application time

2. Location Documentation Checklist

[ ] Legal occupancy evidence (title deeds/tenancy/licence)
[ ] Written permission from landlord/mortgage provider (if applicable)
[ ] Proof location is suitable for your service type
[ ] Access and security considerations addressed
[ ] Insurance documentation updated for business use

3. Additional Considerations

Professional appearance – Remember CQC may inspect
Accessibility – Consider disabled access requirements (Equality Act 2010)
Storage – Secure, fireproof storage for records
IT infrastructure – Adequate for business needs

Complete Support Package: Our full CQC registration package includes location assessment, documentation preparation, and ongoing compliance support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Documentation Errors

Using generic business permission instead of service-specific approval
Providing outdated or expired documents
Missing signatures or dates on permission letters

Location Unsuitable Issues

Lack of separate business entrance
Inadequate privacy for confidential meetings
Insufficient secure storage
Family home distractions during business hours

Planning Oversights

Not considering inspection requirements
Inadequate parking for staff visits
Poor internet connectivity for business systems

Cost Planning Considerations

Immediate Costs

Legal occupancy documentation: £0-£500 (depending on legal advice needed)
Insurance updates: £200-£800 annually
Professional signage: £100-£500
Security measures: £300-£1,500

Ongoing Costs

Business rates: Varies by location and local authority
Professional insurance: Ongoing annual cost
Utility increases: Business usage vs domestic rates

Final Recommendations

Start early – Gather location evidence well before applying
Be specific – Ensure all permissions clearly state your service type
Consider long-term – Your location needs may change as you grow
Plan for inspections – CQC will need to access and inspect your premises
Budget realistically – Factor in all associated costs, not just rent

Conclusion

Working from home or using cost-effective location alternatives is possible for CQC registration, but requires careful planning and proper documentation. With 54% of applications taking longer than 10 weeks in 2024, and some delays exceeding 6 months, getting your location evidence right the first time is crucial.

The key is ensuring your chosen location genuinely functions as a professional base for organising and managing care services, with appropriate security, privacy, and accessibility measures in place.

Remember, while cost is a significant factor during the lengthy registration process, your location choice will also impact your long-term business operations and CQC compliance. Plan accordingly and seek professional guidance if you’re unsure about any requirements.

Expert Guidance Available: At Cura Compliance, we specialise in helping care businesses navigate CQC requirements successfully. Book a consultation today to discuss your specific situation.

Additional Resources

This guide is based on current CQC guidance and recent updates. Always check the latest CQC guidance before submitting your application, as requirements may change.

About Cura Compliance: We are specialist UK compliance consultants helping care businesses achieve and maintain CQC registration. Contact us for expert support with your registration journey.

CQC Location Requirements: A Guide for Businesses