Property requirements for landlords

Does Your Property Qualify for Guaranteed Rent?

We are looking for suitable 3+ bedroom properties across Greater Manchester and the North West. If your property is in decent condition and meets the required safety standards, it may be a good fit for Sapphire Living Care.

Example of a well-maintained UK brick house suitable for property assessment
Start with a free property assessment We confirm suitability before you commit.
3+ BedroomsOur usual starting point
EPC D+Minimum energy rating
Decent ConditionSafe and well maintained
North WestCore operating region
What we look for

Properties That Work Well for Our Housing Model

You do not need a show home. We are looking for practical, safe and well-maintained properties that can provide a good long-term home.

Example of traditional UK residential houses

3+ Bedroom Houses

Family homes and other suitable houses with enough space for safe, comfortable occupancy.

Example of a practical communal living room in a shared HMO-style house

Usable Communal Space

Living areas should be practical, safe and suitable for the people who will call the property home.

Example of a simple, clean and functional bedroom in an HMO-style shared house

Clean, Habitable Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be dry, secure, well maintained and capable of meeting the relevant housing standards.

Images are illustrative examples. Property suitability is confirmed through Sapphire Living Care's assessment process.

Core criteria

The Main Property Requirements

These are our usual starting criteria. We assess each property individually because the exact requirements depend on the property, location and intended use.

3+

At Least 3 Bedrooms

We generally work with properties containing three bedrooms or more. Larger properties can be particularly suitable.

Good Overall Condition

The property should be structurally sound, secure and capable of meeting current housing and safety standards.

D+

EPC Rating D or Above

We currently look for an EPC rating of D or higher. If improvements are needed, speak with us before ruling the property out.

Within Our Coverage Area

Our core focus includes Greater Manchester, Trafford, Lancashire and the wider North West, with coverage continuing to grow.

Safe and Compliant

Gas, electrical, fire and other property safety requirements must be current or capable of being brought up to standard.

Available Soon

Properties that are vacant now or becoming available within the next few months are the easiest for us to assess and progress.

Current property demand

We Are Actively Looking for 4-Bed HMOs Across Greater Manchester

If you own a suitable four-bedroom HMO in Greater Manchester, send us the property details. We can assess the property, review the required standards and explain the rent structure before you make a decision.

  • Existing 4-bedroom HMOs considered
  • Vacant or soon-to-be-available properties preferred
  • Compliance reviewed as part of the assessment
  • No obligation to proceed after the initial review
Traditional UK houses representing the type of residential property Sapphire Living Care assesses
Well-maintained residential living space
Safety and compliance

What We Check During the Property Assessment

The final requirements depend on the property and how it will be used. Our assessment identifies what is already compliant and what needs attention before the property enters the scheme.

Energy performance. A valid EPC, with Sapphire Living Care currently seeking D or above.
Electrical safety. A current EICR and safe electrical installation.
Gas safety. A current Gas Safety Certificate where gas is installed.
Smoke and carbon monoxide protection. Suitable alarms and detection based on the property.
Fire and HMO requirements. We review any additional requirements that apply to the intended use and local authority area.
General condition. Secure doors and windows, sound services, no serious damp or hazards, and suitable living spaces.

A property does not need to be perfect before you contact us. Where work is required, Sapphire Living Care can discuss the next steps and coordinate suitable contractors on a case-by-case basis.

60-second check

Is Your Property Likely to Qualify?

Tick each statement that applies. This gives you a quick indication before requesting a full property assessment.

What happens next

From Property Details to a Clear Decision

You will know what Sapphire Living Care needs, what your property needs and what the commercial terms look like before you commit.

1

Send Your Details

Tell us the location, bedroom count, availability and current condition.

2

Property Assessment

We review suitability, condition, safety and any compliance requirements.

3

Agree Any Works

If something needs attention, we explain what is required before moving forward.

4

Receive Your Offer

If the property fits, we set out the proposed rent and agreement terms clearly.

Property questions

Common Questions Before a Property Assessment

Does my property need to be an HMO?
No. Sapphire Living Care considers suitable residential properties based on their size, location, condition and intended use. If HMO requirements apply to a particular property, these are reviewed during the assessment.
Can you consider a property that needs some work?
Yes, in some cases. A property that needs improvement is not automatically excluded. Sapphire Living Care can identify the required work during the assessment and discuss refurbishment or contractor coordination on a case-by-case basis.
What EPC rating do you require?
Sapphire Living Care currently looks for an EPC rating of D or above. If the property is below this level, speak with the team because practical improvements may bring it within the required standard.
Do you only accept four-bedroom properties?
No. Sapphire Living Care generally considers properties with three bedrooms or more. Four-bedroom HMOs are an area of active demand across Greater Manchester, but other suitable 3+ bedroom properties can still be assessed.
What happens if I am not sure whether my property meets every requirement?
Send the property details anyway. Sapphire Living Care can review the property and explain which standards apply, rather than asking you to determine every technical requirement yourself.

Find Out If Your Property Fits the Sapphire Living Care Portfolio

Send us the basic property details. We will review the location, size, condition and availability, then tell you what the next step is.

Property Requirements

Content coming soon

 

Property Requirements

We work with properties that meet our council partnership standards. Most 3+ bedroom properties in decent condition qualify.

Minimum 3 Bedrooms

Houses suitable for families and multiple occupancy 3 bed +

Decent Condition

Properties that meet current housing standards with minimal work required

Coverage Areas

Trafford, Greater Manchester, Lancashire & the North West

EPC Rating

EPC rating D or above (we can help improve if needed)

Quick Property Check

3+ bedrooms?

In our coverage areas?

Decent condition?

Ready for tenants?

If you answered YES to all four, your property likely qualifies for our guaranteed rent program.

The Truth About Social
Housing Tenants

See why supported tenants often provide more security and stability than traditional rental arrangements.

Traditional Tenants

Our Supported Tenants

Rent dependent on their employment status

Guaranteed rent regardless of tenant circumstances

You handle tenant issues and maintenance

We handle all tenant support and property issues

Void periods cost you thousands

Zero void periods—we guarantee continuous income

Limited tenant vetting

Multi-stage vetting + ongoing wraparound support

You're exposed to damage and repair costs

Full property maintenance included in service

The Reality

98.2%
on-time payment rate (better than traditional letting)
4.3 years
average tenancy length (vs 1.8 years traditional)
100%
local authority backing ensures payment security
24/7
professional support to prevent issues before they start
Backed by Local Council Partners and regulated by the Housing Authority