Page 10 - PIC Magazine Issue 25 - Autumn-Winter 2025

Navigating Complexity:
How F+A Delivers Bespoke
Accommodation Solutions
in Challenging Markets
Jonathan France, FCIAT, AssocRICS, Managing Director, Accommodation Expert.
I
n the often-complex world of personal injury and clinical negligence, accommodation is
one of the most sensitive and challenging aspects to resolve. At F+A, we provide specialist
accommodation consultancy services for clients who have experienced life changing injuries.
From sourcing suitable properties to writing expert witness reports, managing adaptations
and coordinating with legal teams, we play a pivotal role in ensuring clients can access safe,
functional, and dignified living spaces. But as the property market becomes increasingly
unpredictable, especially in areas like London and rural England, our work is as much about
strategic problem-solving as it is about technical design.
The London Property Puzzle
Finding suitable accommodation
in London presents a unique set of
challenges. High demand, limited supply,
and soaring prices mean that locating
a property that meets accessibility, and
adaptation needs while also satisfying
legal claim requirements is often
exceptionally difficult. Our clients typically
require ground-floor access, step-free
environments, space for care teams, and
room to manoeuvre specialist equipment.
These needs aren’t easily accommodated
within the typical London housing stock,
particularly in popular boroughs or areas
with historic architecture. What makes
the situation more difficult is the pressure
of timelines.
In legal cases involving accommodation
claims, the expectation is to secure
properties within a tight window - often
while the claimant is still adjusting to
life post-injury. The competitive London
market, where properties can be listed
and gone within days, leaves very little
room for error. To overcome this, our in-
house property finding team developed
close relationships with local agents,
and deep understanding of each client’s
specific medical and legal needs.
We don’t just look at what’s available -
we proactively liaise with vendors,
survey off-market properties, and often
work closely with legal teams to ensure
feasibility from both a clinical and legal
standpoint.
F+A Property Search Team
Rural Retreats: Beauty Meets Logistical Barriers
At the opposite end of the spectrum, rural locations present
a different set of problems. While space and serenity may
seem ideal, remote areas often lack suitable housing stock
or the infrastructure needed for clients with complex care
requirements. In one recent example, a client in need of adapted
rural accommodation was struggling to find anything suitable.
We responded by assigning a dedicated member of our property
finding team to be based locally. By being physically present in
the area, we were able to develop direct relationships with local
estate agents, attend property viewings quickly, and ensure
potential sites were assessed promptly for suitability. Our work
on the ground has been invaluable, and as of June/July, the
project is well underway, complete with plans for high-quality
countryside photography to support both the client's case and
long-term documentation. This kind of proactive, site-based
approach has allowed us to secure properties that would have
otherwise been overlooked, especially those not well advertised
online or that needed minor adjustments to become viable.
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