The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has extended the deadline for its consideration of US real estate investment trust Welltower's proposals to sell off and change operator of some of its portfolio in response to the regulator's anticompetitive concerns over its acquisition of hundreds of UK care homes.
The regulator is investigating four completed acquisitions involving more than 600 care homes operated by Barchester Healthcare, HC-One, Aria Care and Danforth Care.
It concluded earlier this year that the mergers may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in certain local markets, and indicated that the deals could be referred for a more detailed Phase 2 investigation unless acceptable remedies were offered.
The watchdog said in May it believed the US Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) proposals involving selling-off of undisclosed assets from Welltower and Apex Healthcare Properties could address its concerns and would make a final decision by July 21st.
However, it has now extended the period for considering those undertakings until 17th September 2026.
