> Comprehensive new commitments build on firm’s ESG achievements to date

> New initiatives deepen and widen Ascend’s investment in sustainable practices

Ascend – the UK’s largest third-party operator of single-family rental homes – has launched an ambitious new sustainability strategy as it seeks to build on its ESG achievements to date and drive even greater progress towards its goals.

The new strategy sets out a roadmap to the end of 2026, with 20 commitments (see below) – with targets and regular reporting – identified across three pillars of Ascend’s activities: residents & 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 has 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 comprehensive sustainability strategy developed by Ascend, building on and 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.

Paul Stockwell, Group Managing Director of Gatehouse Living Group, said: 

ESG is at the heart of Gatehouse Living Group’s approach, and a central part of that is how sustainability can be incorporated into the operation of SFR homes. Ascend’s latest strategy has been designed to both build on existing successes and drive further improvements for the Group, residents and the communities we operate in.

Jack Wright, Head of Marketing and Sustainability at Ascend, added: 

Central to achieving these goals is a regular assessment of progress, identification of further improvements and the instigation of new targets for even greater success. Even as we make these pledges in our latest strategy, we look forward to reporting on their delivery and working towards a future that is more sustainable for everyone.

Ascend’s 20 Sustainability Commitments

Our Residents & Homes

• Provide information, signposting and targeted campaigns to help our residents maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Train our Property Managers on green living, including water, energy and waste efficiencies in the home ​
• Provide Green Living home audits during resident interactions (e.g. moving-in), including water, energy and waste efficiencies in the home
• Reduce ‘no access’ visits through improved processes and resident communications
• Promote and encourage virtual viewings, and virtual property inspections where appropriate
• Actively promote and encourage Smart Meters with our residents to increase adoption ​

Our Operations

• Ensure our employees have access to employee wellbeing services and an in-house mental health first aider​
• Actively support diversity, equality and inclusivity across the business, demonstrated through our policies and reporting
• Ensure that all electronic waste (e-waste) generated by our operations is responsibly managed through reuse and recycling
• Report on our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions annually from 2024 and have targets in place to reduce operational emissions​
• Move to renewable energy sources and drive operational efficiencies to reduce energy consumption
• Commit to support local communities, charities and through a variety of activities to achieve an annual contribution
• Commit to support local communities, charities, schools or businesses through employee volunteering​
• Mandate ESG training for all employees through our Ascend Academy, to promote green living at home and work

Our Communities

• Sponsor a local school to educate around sustainable practices such as waste reduction and encouraging biodiversity
• Leverage partnerships to provide residents and/or employees with sustainable products (e.g welcome gifts)
• Raise awareness of green living through education and awareness campaigns
• Commit to replacing our fleet to electric and hybrid vehicles
• Continue our hybrid working policy, avoiding unnecessary commuting, to reduce our carbon emissions​
• Plant a tree for every property we rent or sell

Click here to read the full 2024-2026 Sustainability Strategy.