Raising Standards in Supported Housing and Property Management
At Prem Property, we occupy a unique and important position in the supported housing sector. Our primary goal is clear: to professionalise the industry by raising the bar across all aspects of property management. This commitment is rooted in a belief that the supported housing sector deserves the same level of professionalism, compliance and integrity as any other part of the housing industry.
In this blog, we will outline how we achieve this vision, focusing on our approach to property management, partnerships with providers, and how we ensure landlords are protected from bad deals. We will also discuss how our tailored, purpose-driven property sourcing not only benefits our partners and landlords but also plays a vital role in reducing pressure on local NHS services.
Working with the Right Providers
One of the key ways we raise standards in the sector is through our focus on working with the right providers. We understand that the quality of accommodation and care is directly linked to the expertise and reliability of the organisations we partner with. At Prem Property, we work exclusively with established and accountable providers who share our values of transparency, professionalism, and care.
Before entering into any partnership or lease agreement, our team conducts thorough due diligence on each provider. This includes reviewing their compliance history, inspecting their operational procedures, and ensuring their values align with the high standards we set. We prioritise long-term partnerships with providers who are genuinely committed to improving the lives of those they support. This commitment to due diligence helps us ensure that all the properties we manage are well-suited for supported living and meet the required health and safety standards.
This careful selection process is not just about ticking boxes. We look for a proven track record in care delivery, sustainable growth and transparent governance. By working with providers who can demonstrate these qualities, we minimise risk and ensure that tenants receive the support they need in a safe, comfortable environment.
Purpose-Driven Property Sourcing: Not Just Convenience
When it comes to sourcing properties for our partners, we take a highly tailored, purpose-driven approach. Rather than offering whatever properties happen to be available on the open market, we source properties based on the exact needs of our providers. This includes location, layout, accessibility, configuration and proximity to local services.
Why does this matter? Well, a key challenge in the supported housing sector is ensuring that the right properties are available for providers when they need them. A tailored sourcing approach ensures that properties are not only suitable for the intended supported living model, but also that they are situated in the most appropriate locations, near essential services such as healthcare, transportation and community facilities.
This level of care in sourcing has far-reaching benefits. For providers, it enables them to deliver more effective support and plan for long-term growth. For tenants, it ensures they are housed in an environment that facilitates their wellbeing and care. For landlords, it ensures their properties are let to reputable providers with a proven ability to deliver the required support, reducing the risk of damage or mismanagement.
Moreover, this thoughtful approach helps reduce pressure on NHS services and hospital discharge bottlenecks. By ensuring that providers have the right properties available, we can help them move people through the system and into the care they need more quickly. This approach also plays a crucial role in preventing delays in hospital discharges, ultimately improving outcomes for patients and the wider community.
Protecting Landlords from Bad Deals
Unfortunately, there are many horror stories in the property industry, particularly within supported housing, where landlords have entered into agreements with providers that have not turned out as expected. In some cases, these agreements have led to properties being misused, payments becoming irregular or care standards falling apart. These situations can have long-term consequences, leaving landlords with damaged properties, broken reputations and significant financial losses.
At Prem Property, we are committed to protecting landlords from such scenarios. That’s why we reject more landlords than we work with. We are selective in the landlords we partner with, ensuring that they are prepared to meet compliance requirements and that their properties are suitable for supported housing. If a property is not suited to supported housing, or if the landlord is unwilling to meet the necessary standards, we do not proceed.
We believe in working with landlords who share our mindset of long-term stability and sustainable tenancies. Many landlords come to us with unrealistic expectations about the potential rental yields they can achieve from supported housing, often expecting commercial-level rents without understanding the realities of the supported living model. At Prem Property, we help manage these expectations early on by explaining the value of impact over income. We prioritise outcomes that are beneficial for everyone – from the tenants who need support, to the providers who require suitable accommodation, to the landlords who want their investments to be protected.
Our focus is not on short-term profits, but on creating a system where everyone involved can thrive. Landlords who understand and share this vision tend to be the most successful in this space, as they focus on the long-term success of the partnership, rather than chasing quick wins.
Compliance and Convenience: A Balanced Approach
For us, compliance is not optional. It is an integral part of every lease, every referral and every operational procedure we manage. We ensure that all properties under our management meet health and safety standards, have the correct planning use and are fit for purpose for the supported living model. This commitment to compliance helps ensure that properties are safe and suitable for tenants and that they meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements.
At the same time, we understand that landlords value simplicity and convenience. That’s why we have streamlined our process to make it as easy as possible for landlords to work with us. From coordinating viewings to managing documentation and acting as the bridge between landlords, providers, and local commissioners, we handle the complex tasks so that landlords can focus on other aspects of their business.
When issues arise, we don’t shy away from them. We take a proactive approach to addressing problems, ensuring that landlords are kept informed every step of the way. This level of transparency and communication helps build trust and strengthens our relationships with landlords and providers alike.
Aligning Values: Impact Before Income
One of the most important aspects of our work is ensuring that the values of our landlords, providers and tenants align. We often encounter landlords who come to us with expectations of high rental returns, but fail to understand the intricacies of the supported housing model. We help manage these expectations by explaining the realities of supported living and working with landlords who share our belief that impact comes before income.
Landlords who prioritise stable tenancies, sustainable income, and meaningful care for tenants tend to have the most successful and rewarding experiences working with Prem Property. By focusing on long-term outcomes and the welfare of the tenants, landlords can see consistent returns while making a genuine difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Final Word: Raising the Standard
At Prem Property, we are committed to professionalising the industry and raising the standard for supported housing and property management. We don’t follow outdated industry practices; instead, we set a higher standard by prioritising responsibility, transparency and long-term thinking.
If you are a landlord or provider who shares our vision and approach, we are ready to work with you. Together, we can create a better, more professional housing environment that delivers meaningful results for everyone involved.
Let’s work together to make supported housing better – for landlords, providers and most importantly, the tenants who depend on it.