Assisted living in the UK: extra care housing explained

“Assisted living” is not a regulated term in England: it usually means extra care housing, where you have your own flat and can get care and support on site. The housing itself is not registered, but any provider delivering personal care there must be registered with, and inspected by, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Schemes using the name differ a lot, so check what is offered.

At a glance

• Assisted living, extra care, “very sheltered” housing and housing with care are closely related terms for self-contained homes with on-site support.
• Staff are usually available up to 24 hours a day, and the minimum age is usually 55 or 60.
• Age UK gives typical service charges of £300 to £450 a month for rented extra care schemes, against £130 to £200 a month for rented sheltered housing.
• Care is arranged through a council care needs assessment or privately, and the council may meet some costs after a financial assessment.
• Extra care housing is not a care home: you have your own front door and a tenancy or lease.

What is assisted living in the UK?

CQC guidance defines extra care housing as purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation, owned or occupied under an occupancy agreement, designed so that care can be delivered now or when it is needed in the future. It notes that such housing is also called sheltered housing, assisted living or retirement homes. National planning guidance describes extra care housing, or housing with care, as usually purpose-built or adapted flats or bungalows with a medium to high level of care from an on-site agency registered with CQC, with 24-hour access to support and staff.

The Older People’s Housing Taskforce called the language of “sheltered” and “retirement” housing confusing and outdated. In practice, “assisted living” in the UK is a marketing and common-use term, not a legal category. CQC registers regulated activities such as personal care; there is no regulated activity called assisted living. Ask every scheme to describe its staffing, care provider and contract in plain terms.

How does it differ from sheltered housing and care homes?

Our guides to sheltered housing and retirement homes, sheltered housing and care homes cover those options, and care home or extra care housing helps you decide when needs outgrow a flat.

How is the care regulated?

In England, CQC registers the provider of personal care. Where housing and care are under separate legal agreements, CQC generally registers and inspects only the care provider, not the accommodation. CQC’s guidance says its personal care activity covers care in housing with care, supported living and extra care housing, and that people’s own homes are not regulated, only the care provided. Where a provider offers accommodation and care as a single package, a different registration applies, which is the care home model.

That has practical consequences. You should normally be able to stop receiving personal care or change care provider without losing your home, although some schemes require a mandatory service package. Read the care provider’s inspection report before you decide, and see CQC ratings explained. In Wales, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) plays this role; see CIW ratings explained. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different regulators and terms, so contact Age Scotland or Age NI for local advice, and read our guides to paying for care in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What does it cost?

• Renting: rent, plus a service charge. Age UK gives typical service charges of £130 to £200 a month for rented sheltered housing and £300 to £450 a month for extra care, and possibly more if utilities are included.
• Buying: most extra care is sold leasehold. Costs include ground rent (zero on new retirement leases from 1 April 2023), a service charge and possibly exit or transfer fees. Lease terms may restrict selling or passing the home to relatives.
• Care: charged separately for the care you use, whether privately arranged or council-funded.
• Everyday bills: Council Tax, water, energy, TV licence, phone, internet and contents insurance. Some communal costs may be inside the service charge.

Read how charges can rise before you commit. Our guides to retirement home costs and ARCO and integrated retirement communities cover larger, purpose-built schemes.

How is care in extra care housing paid for?

1. Ask the council for a care needs assessment. If your needs are eligible, the council carries out a financial assessment and may pay some or all of the cost. See preparing for a care needs assessment and the care means test explained.
2. Claim Attendance Allowance if you qualify. It is paid at £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) a week if you have a disability or health condition and are at State Pension age or older. Try the Attendance Allowance checker.
3. Check housing help. Renters may get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit towards rent, and Council Tax Reduction towards Council Tax. Buyers over State Pension age on a low income may get help with some service charges through Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
4. If you pay privately, read self-funding care before committing capital.

The rules on how a council counts your home and savings can change the answer, so ask for the council’s policy in writing.

How do you find and apply for a scheme?

Ask your local council which schemes exist, and search the Elderly Accommodation Counsel directory. For council or housing association schemes, places are usually allocated after a social services care needs assessment, and criteria may apply, such as age and a set number of care hours a week. Some housing associations allocate extra care through the local council. Our guide to social housing for older adults explains the register and bidding.

When you visit, ask about:

• communal facilities, layout, accessible design and property size
• staff cover at night, the emergency call system and response times
• who provides the care and what its latest CQC report says
• the pet policy, noise and guest rules
• shops, public transport and the neighbourhood
• what happens if your needs increase, including dementia or nursing needs

Frequently asked questions

Is assisted living the same as a care home?

No. In assisted living or extra care you have a self-contained home with a tenancy or lease, and care is delivered to you there. In a care home you live in a room and the home provides accommodation and care together.

Is assisted living regulated in England?

The term is not a regulated category. CQC regulates the personal care provider, not the housing, where care and accommodation are provided under separate agreements. Always check the CQC registration and latest inspection report of the care provider.

Who can move into extra care housing?

Schemes usually set a minimum age of 55 or 60. Council-nominated places may also depend on criteria such as a set number of weekly care hours. Ask the scheme and your council about their rules.

Can I get council help to pay for care in assisted living?

Possibly. If a council care needs assessment finds eligible needs, a financial assessment follows, and the council may pay some or all of your care costs. Housing costs are treated separately, with possible help through Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

Does extra care housing provide nursing care?

Generally not. Age UK says nursing care is generally not provided by extra care staff, though a visiting district nurse may provide it. If you need regular nursing care, a nursing home may be more suitable.

Where to get help next

Compare housing and care options in care home or extra care housing, and check what you could claim with the funding checker. To browse local providers, use Find care.

Sources

• Age UK: Assisted living and extra care housing
• Age UK: Specialist housing for older people (factsheet 64)
• Care Quality Commission: Housing with care, guidance for providers
• Care Quality Commission: Regulated activity, personal care
• GOV.UK: Housing for older and disabled people, planning practice guidance
• GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance, how much you get

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.