Selling your care home in a challenging market

A recent survey by business sales advisor Christie & Co revealed that two in five care homes may be at risk of closure due to rising operating costs, with employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) emerging as a particular issue. Combined with mounting energy bills, food prices, and increases to the National Living Wage, such pressures are forcing many care home operators to reassess their long-term sustainability.

For some, selling the business — whether to retire, consolidate, or redirect investment — has become a serious and sometimes unavoidable consideration. Yet, unlike selling a typical commercial or residential property, selling a care home requires a uniquely sensitive and strategic approach. The implications for residents, their families, and team members mean that confidentiality, timing, and professionalism are critical at every stage.

Selling a care home is not simply a financial transaction. It involves an ethical and emotional dimension and a careful approach to managing the sale from an operational perspective. Residents and their families place considerable trust in the care provider, and even early rumours of a potential sale can lead to uncertainty, anxiety, and reputational damage.