SPOTLIGHT
A Q&A with Louise Colohan
SPECIALIST IN IDENTIFYING PROPERTIES
As the Head of Property Finding Services, Louise Colohan specialises in identifying properties that provide a foundation for stability, independence, and wellbeing. Her approach ensures that every search is guided by a deep understanding of a client’s specific disability and post-litigation needs.
In this spotlight, Louise explains the meticulous process of property finding. She also discusses the unique challenges of the current market and the rewarding moment of handing over keys to a family ready to start a new chapter.
You have a background in residential estate agency. What prompted your move from that work into the highly specialist area of finding properties for clients with complex needs?
While working in estate agency for over several years, I occasionally encountered clients who struggled to find suitable housing due to accessibility or support needs. Seeing those challenges firsthand made me realise how limited the options can be — and how important it is to have advocates who understand both property and people. That experience motivated me to transition into a field where I could use my skills to help remove those barriers.
What drives your passion for finding not just a ‘suitable’ property, but the right home that truly supports a client and their family?
For me, a home is far more than just a property — it’s the foundation for stability, independence, and wellbeing. Many of the clients I work with face unique challenges, and I’m passionate about finding homes that genuinely support their day-to-day lives, not just tick boxes on a list. Seeing the difference the right home makes to both the client, and their family is what keeps me motivated.
As the Head of Property Finding Services, what are the very first steps your team takes when instructed to find a new home for a client with specific disability needs?
The very first step is always to build a complete understanding of the client — not just their disability-related requirements, but also their daily routines, preferences, and the support they need to live safely and comfortably. We begin by arranging a meeting with the client, their family, and professionals involved in their care to hear their perspectives firsthand. We also review any assessments, care plans, or occupational therapy reports to capture every detail.
From there, we translate those insights into a clear and practical property brief — identifying essential accessibility features, location priorities, and any adaptations that may be required. Taking this collaborative and person-centred approach from the outset ensures that every property we identify is guided by a deep understanding of what “suitable” truly means for that individual and their family.
How do you collaborate with the client’s legal team, case managers, and OTs to ensure a property meets not only their current needs but also their future requirements?
Collaboration is essential to ensuring a property meets both current and future needs. From the outset, we engage closely with the client’s legal team, case managers, and occupational therapists to gather a full picture of the client’s circumstances, care plans, and long-term goals. We review assessments, discuss potential challenges, and identify any anticipated changes in mobility, support, or health.
Throughout the property search, we maintain regular communication with these professionals, sharing potential options and seeking feedback to ensure each property aligns with the client’s needs now and is adaptable for the future. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to be proactive — identifying properties that won’t just meet today’s requirements, but will continue to support independence, safety, and quality of life as circumstances evolve.
What are the main challenges in the current property market when searching for homes that are suitable for adaptation?
Essentially, the challenge is balancing what’s available in the market with what the client truly needs to live safely, comfortably, and independently.
Financial and logistical factors can also make adaptation tricky — even when a property has potential, securing approvals or funding for modifications can take time. On top of that, there’s often a lack of clear information about which properties could work, so a lot of our time involves investigating options, liaising with landlords, and thinking ahead to ensure the home can meet future needs as well as current ones.
Your profile mentions you work with post-litigation clients. How does your team’s understanding of that legal process provide an advantage during the property search?
Working with post-litigation clients requires a thorough understanding of the legal process, timelines, and any restrictions or obligations that may come with a settlement. Our team’s familiarity with these factors gives us a significant advantage when searching for properties. We know how to interpret legal documentation, anticipate potential hurdles, and ensure that the homes we identify are fully compliant with any requirements.
This knowledge allows us to move efficiently, avoid wasted viewings, and provide clients and their legal teams with realistic, actionable options. Ultimately, it ensures that the property we select not only meets the client’s personal and accessibility needs but also aligns with the legal framework governing their situation — reducing stress and delivering a smoother transition into their new home.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job when you successfully hand over the keys to a client's new home?
The most fulfilling part of my job is seeing the joy and excitement on my clients’ faces when I hand them the keys to their new home. It’s the moment when all the searching, negotiations, and collaboration with OTs and case managers all come together, and I get to witness the start of a new chapter in their lives. Knowing I played a part in helping them achieve such an important goal is incredibly rewarding.
What is one thing solicitors, case managers, or deputies should understand more about the specialist property finding process?
I think understanding how complex and nuanced it can be. It’s not just about finding a house that fits the budget — it’s about identifying a home that truly meets a client’s accessibility, rehabilitation, and long-term independence needs. Every search involves balancing clinical input, funding parameters, property constraints (such as securing Local Authority Planning Approval), and the client’s personal goals. The process can take time and creativity, and having open communication and trust between all professionals involved makes a huge difference to achieving the best outcome for the client.
