Ascend – which describes itself as the UK’s largest third-party operator of single-family rental homes – has launched a sustainability strategy setting out a roadmap to the end of 2026.

This has 20 commitments identified across three pillars of Ascend’s activities: residents and homes; operations; and communities.

Milestones over the coming year include the establishment of a carbon emission reduction plan, use of renewable energy across the firm’s operations, mandatory ESG training for employees and further expansion to its mental health first aider programme. By the end of 2026, Ascend will have planted 14,000+ trees – it currently plants one for every letting it makes – transitioned 80% of its vehicle fleet to electric/hybrid and established Green Living home audits, among other ESG initiatives.

The new commitments build on Ascend’s ESG achievements to date, in which it claims to have pioneered best practice for the property management sector. In 2024, it piloted a Green Living programme, partnering with United Utilities, in which trained Ascend employees gave residents the products and guidance they needed to live more sustainably; this year, the initiative will be further established across its managed portfolios and expanded to a local school.

Further milestones reached last year include the rollout of virtual inspections, the introduction of DEI management training, and supporting a range of charities through both volunteering and financial donations. Actions in 2025 will include increasing smart meter adoption across homes within its management portfolio, providing residents with products that promote a more sustainable lifestyle, and further development of its proprietary tech stack and operational approach, which uses dynamic communications and activity management to reduce wasted journey miles and emissions.

Through the implementation of the strategy, sustainability is being placed at the core of Ascend’s business functions, fully aligning it with the aims of its investor clients and reflecting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With responsibility for managing over 9,000 SFR homes nationwide and a further 1,500 homes in the pipeline for 2025, the initiatives represent a further deepening of Ascend’s commitment to sustainable practices, and reinforces its position as the leading voice in ESG across the residential lettings and management sector.

This is the second sustainability strategy developed by Ascend, updating its first publication in September 2023. The latest strategy has committed the firm to more ambitious targets as it seeks to go beyond industry standard approaches and deliver real change in the ESG sphere. A report on its progress towards its targets during 2024 is due to be published in the coming weeks.

Ascend is part of Gatehouse Living Group, a vertically-integrated residential real estate investment and management platform. The latest sustainability strategy has been developed in line with the group’s wider ESG policies.

Ascend’s 20 Sustainability Commitments

Residents & Homes

1. Provide information, signposting and targeted campaigns to help our residents maintain a healthy lifestyle

2. Train our Property Managers on green living, including water, energy and waste efficiencies in the home 

3. Provide Green Living home audits during resident interactions (e.g. moving-in), including water, energy and waste efficiencies in the home

4. Reduce ‘no access’ visits through improved processes and resident communications

5. Promote and encourage virtual viewings, and virtual property inspections where appropriate

6. Actively promote and encourage Smart Meters with our residents to increase adoption 

Operations

7. Ensure our employees have access to employee wellbeing services and an in-house mental health first aider

8. Actively support diversity, equality and inclusivity across the business, demonstrated through our policies and reporting

9. Ensure that all electronic waste (e-waste) generated by our operations is responsibly managed through reuse and recycling

10. Report on our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions annually from 2024 and have targets in place to reduce operational emissions

11. Move to renewable energy sources and drive operational efficiencies to reduce energy consumption

12. Commit to support local communities, charities and through a variety of activities to achieve an annual contribution

13. Commit to support local communities, charities, schools or businesses through employee volunteering

14. Mandate ESG training for all employees through our Ascend Academy, to promote green living at home and work

Communities

15. Sponsor a local school to educate around sustainable practices such as waste reduction and encouraging biodiversity

16. Leverage partnerships to provide residents and/or employees with sustainable products (e.g welcome gifts)

17. Raise awareness of green living through education and awareness campaigns

18. Commit to replacing our fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles

19. Continue our hybrid working policy, avoiding unnecessary commuting, to reduce our carbon emissions

20. Plant a tree for every property we rent or sell