A new care home in England cannot provide care until the Care Quality Commission (CQC) confirms its registration, and it will usually show no rating until it has been inspected. CQC says it will usually assess all quality statements for a newly registered service within 12 months. That means you may be choosing a home with no rating yet.
At a glance
- Providing a regulated activity before CQC confirms registration is an offence, and registration can take a few months.
- A newly registered home’s CQC page may say “We have not inspected this service yet” and show its registration date.
- CQC usually assesses all quality statements for a new service within 12 months.
- A first rating needs every quality statement in a key question to be assessed before that rating is published.
- New homes must meet the same regulations as established ones, but they have no inspection history.
How does a new care home become registered?
A provider applies to CQC to register the regulated activities it wants to carry out, such as accommodation with personal care. CQC says it must be satisfied that the service will be safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, and the applicant has to show evidence of how it will meet the regulations. A registered manager must also be put forward with the application.
Checks can include a site visit assessment, a fit person interview or a discussion with the nominated individual. CQC may refuse an application if the premises are unsuitable. It says registration can take a few months. A provider that carries on a regulated activity before registration is confirmed commits an offence, so a home advertising rooms before opening is still working towards registration.
These rules are for England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, care homes register with the Care Inspectorate, Care Inspectorate Wales and RQIA respectively. See our guides to Care Inspectorate grades, CIW ratings and RQIA inspections.
What does “we have not inspected this service yet” mean?
CQC’s page for a newly registered location can show the notice “Important: We have not inspected this service yet”, together with the date it was registered and a note that follow-up inspections of new services are undertaken regularly. It means the home has been registered, but CQC has not yet published any inspection findings or rating.
It does not mean the home is poor, and it does not mean it is good. It means there is no independent evidence yet from CQC’s inspection. Our guide to CQC ratings explained shows what the four rating levels mean once they arrive.
How are new homes inspected and rated?
For a service that has not been inspected or rated before, CQC says it must assess all quality statements in a key question before publishing that key question’s rating. For newly registered services, it will usually assess all quality statements within 12 months.
Ratings are built up from scores. Evidence in each category is scored from 1 to 4, then combined into a score for each quality statement, then each key question, then an overall rating. A statement scored 1 can cap a key question that would otherwise be good at requires improvement. CQC has said it plans to remove scoring, so check its site for the current method. Read how often CQC inspects care homes and how old care home ratings are for what to expect once a rating exists.
How can you find newly registered care homes?
- CQC’s search. CQC’s “search for a care home” tool shows each home’s latest report and ratings, who runs it and its contact details. A new location’s page will carry the “not inspected yet” notice and a registration date.
- CQC email alerts. CQC offers email alerts for when services are inspected, which is a way to see a new home’s first report when it arrives.
- CQC’s care directory. CQC publishes a care directory with filters as a spreadsheet, normally updated once a month and made available under the Open Government Licence. Its file name refers to active locations, and CQC says its move to a new digital system may delay some updates.
- The Care Panel. Use our care search to see homes in your area, then check each home’s CQC page for its registration date and inspection status. Our comparison tool helps you set shortlisted homes side by side.
- Your council. Ask the local authority about care homes in your area, particularly if it is funding the placement.
We do not name specific homes that have not yet opened, because dates and registration status change and an advertised opening date is not a guarantee.
What are the benefits of a brand new care home?
A purpose-built or newly refurbished home may offer modern layouts, accessible bathrooms, up-to-date fire and ventilation systems and technology built in from the start. Residents arrive at a similar time, which can create a fresh sense of community, and managers are often keen to establish good habits. Whether a particular home delivers these things is something to see in person.
Some new homes may also have vacancies, which can help families who need a room quickly, as we explain in the hardest places to find a care home bed.
What are the risks of choosing a new home?
- No track record. There is no inspection history, no previous complaints record you can read and no long-standing reputation to check.
- A new team. Staff may be newly recruited, still learning routines and each other, and the manager may be new to the home. Ask how many staff have worked together before.
- Low occupancy. A half-empty home has fewer activities and a quieter atmosphere, and fees may change as it fills.
- Opening delays. Building work and registration can overrun, and you may need a back-up plan if a place is promised for a date.
An older home with a recent good report has evidence a new one lacks; a new home with a thoughtful manager and clear answers may still be the right choice. Our guide to what requires improvement means shows how to read a more mixed report.
What should you ask before choosing a new home?
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the home registered with CQC, and for which activities? | It cannot lawfully provide those activities without registration |
| Who is the registered manager, and what is their background? | A manager must be registered for the service |
| When does the provider expect its first inspection? | CQC usually assesses new services within 12 months |
| Do other homes run by the same provider have ratings? | A wider record can give some evidence, though each home is rated separately |
| What happens to my deposit if the opening is delayed? | Contracts should set out refunds and fee changes in writing |
| How will fees be reviewed? | Your fee may change as the home fills |
Ask for the contract before paying anything, and read care home contracts alongside questions to ask when visiting a care home. For funding, see care home fees explained.
Frequently asked questions
Can a care home take residents before CQC registers it?
No. In England a provider cannot carry on a regulated activity until CQC confirms registration, and doing so is an offence. If a home asks for a deposit before it is registered, ask for its registration status in writing.
How long until a new care home gets a CQC rating?
CQC says it will usually assess all quality statements for a newly registered service within 12 months. A rating for a key question is only published once all its quality statements have been assessed, so ratings may not all appear at once.
Is a new care home safer than an older one?
Not automatically. Both must meet the same regulations. New buildings may be more modern, but a new home has no inspection history, and its staff team may be new. Look at its manager, staffing and CQC page rather than its age.
How do I check whether a home is new?
Open the home’s CQC page. A newly registered home may show a notice that it has not been inspected yet and display its registration date. You can also search by home name using CQC’s care home search.
Are new care homes more expensive?
Fees depend on the home, its location and the care needed, not its age alone. Ask for the full fee in writing, including anything charged as an extra, and compare it with typical ranges in our guide to care home fees by region.
Where to get help next
If you are comparing a new home with an established one, use how to choose a care home and how to read a CQC inspection report. The State of Care in England 2026 report gives wider context on quality and capacity.
Sources
Find care homes near you
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Highly rated care homes in England
- Church View Outstanding · Liverpool
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- Carlton House Outstanding · Leeds
Rated by CQC in the last three years. Nobody pays to appear here.
Care homes by county
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Related guides
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Print it before visiting: three columns, 40 questions on care, staffing, rooms, costs and the contract.
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.