Placefirst and ESG
ESG and its importance
At Placefirst, we have been dedicated to responsibly providing high-quality single-family rental homes and neighbourhoods since 2010. Our company mission is to improve lives through better housing and meet the changing needs of our customers. We are committed to delivering our promise by operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner that safeguards our residents, investors, partners, colleagues, and communities.
Our Responsibility:
From the outset of every development, we embed ESG principles across the entire planning, development and operational lifecycle to deliver high quality, sustainable outcomes.
By integrating responsible, ethical and sustainable practices into every aspect of our business, we create longterm value while protecting the environment and enhancing the communities in which we operate. We are firmly committed to achieving our sustainability ambitions, including operational Net Zero by 2040, alongside continuous improvements in safety and environmental performance.
We also recognise the broader impact of our developments and endeavour to actively support the wellbeing of our residents and cohesivity of local communities. We play an active role in supporting local charities, volunteering our time with schools and community organisations, and working collaboratively with local people to deliver long-lasting social value.
Our Key Principles:
These principles reinforce our commitment to environmental stewardship, an empowered workforce and transparent corporate governance.
Environment:
- We aim to minimise the negative impacts of our activities wherever possible, while delivering climate-resilient homes that are affordable to run for local communities.
- Achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050 across operational assets and new developments, aligned to science-based emissions reduction pathways
- Reduce carbon emissions from the property portfolio via energy efficient design, on-site renewable energy integration, installation of onsite EV charging points
- Increase the % of EPC A and B rated homes through the refurbishment of older properties and installation of high-efficiency energy and water fixtures, window replacements and upgrading thermal insulation
- Work in partnership with our supply chain to eliminate the risk of pollution at our construction sites and reduce embodied carbon in construction materials
- Collaborate with tenants, via energy saving initiatives to reduce Scope 3 emissions from resident energy use
- Consider climate resilience at pre-investment and planning stage and across the operational lifecycle of all developments
- Utilise circular economy principles throughout all of our operations and achieve 100% diversion of operational waste from landfill each year
- Actively take steps to protect and enhance habitats and wildlife throughout the lifecycle of our projects, and comply with Biodiversity Net Gain requirements
- Collect 100% of operational energy, water and waste emissions each year
Social Value: - Deliver long-term, high-quality rental communities that enhance wellbeing and promote inclusion and local economic growth, whilst developing our Placefirst team members internally to achieve excellence.
- Maintain certification to ISO 45001 and promote health, safety and wellbeing for residents, employees and supply chain
- Consider access to amenities and transportation networks in the site selection process, and work with local authorities to enhance quality of life
- Promote good health and wellbeing for our residents through careful design principles, choice of natural construction materials to optimise indoor air quality and on-site community building via our resident services team.
- Support local communities through engagement, social value creation and local supply chain participation
- Complete annual resident satisfaction survey in which 100% of residents are invites to respond
- Advance diversity, inclusion and human rights across workforce and operations
- Zero Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) for Placefirst employees and partners
Transparency and Governance:
- We embed ESG considerations into all investment, development and asset management decisions with Board-level oversight.
- Ensure transparent disclosure around ESG actions and performance via robust data monitoring, KPI tracking and external disclosures
- Integrate ESG and climate-related risk assessment into acquisition, development and management processes
- Demonstrate strong ESG leadership through active participation in sustainability and climate-related industry groups
ESG Integration Throughout The Housing Lifecycle:
We take a rigorous approach to every investment decision. Before selecting a new site or project, we carry out detailed ESG due diligence, including climate resilience assessments. This ensures every investment aligns with our net zero ambitions and supports the long-term delivery of our sustainability strategy.
Planning and Design
Our homes are designed to be energy-efficient, healthy for families, and future-readyfeaturing high-performance equipment, on-site renewable energy, and EV charging infrastructure where feasible. All new developments achieve a minimum EPC rating of B. Materials and construction methods are carefully chosen to meet high environmental and human health standards.
Construction and Development
We work closely with our construction partners to minimise environmental impact at every stage of the build process. This includes robust waste management, water conservation, and habitat protection measures. We also maintain a strong focus on health, safety, and ESG performance, with regular performance monitoring throughout each project.
Maintenance and Refurbishment
Our in-house maintenance team is available 24/7 to support residents, and we continually invest in our existing homes through scheduled refurbishment programmes. These include upgrades such as new roofs, modern insulated windows, and energy-efficient heating systemshelping to reduce running costs for residents while lowering environmental impact.
Operations
We actively track our environmental and social performance, including energy use, carbon emissions, water consumption, and resident satisfaction and wellbeing. Beyond our homes, we commit to making a positive difference in local communitiessupporting job creation, engaging with residents, and contributing through events, volunteering, and charitable initiatives.
ESG Case Study: Welsh Streets
- 40m Total committed capital 32m regeneration project, 8m new build homes
- 93% Of properties retained and remodelled
- 79% of units with EPC rating B+
- Residents spend an estimated 1.7 million annually in the local economy
650+ people occupying the houses
Local Economic Benefits: By investing in a previously deprived area, Placefirst and the residents they are attracting are bringing significant economic benefits to Toxteth.
New Neighbourhoods: Placefirst have catalysed regeneration and enabled new communities to develop in an area that was previously derelict.
Safer Areas: Although the crime figures for Welsh Streets have not yet changed since the redevelopment, residents are clearly taking pride in their homes and there is noticeably less vandalism compared to neighbouring streets.
Desirable Place to live: The newly redeveloped Welsh Streets homes are highly desirable. Also, Placefirsts investment has led to other local landlords redeveloping nearby streets.
Greater Resident Wellbeing: Residents are positive about their homes and the service that Placefirst provide.
Greater Energy Efficiency: All homes have an EPC rating of B or C. This is a significant improvement on the homes which were previously upgraded.
Note: Extracted from Placefirsts Redevelopment of Welsh Streets Impact Assessment by The Good Economy, an Impact Advisor which made an independent impact assessment of the Welsh Streets site.
Certications
- At Placefirst we understand the importance of having our ESG performance and achievements externally benchmarked and verified. This means that we are always exploring new ways to strengthen our sustainability strategy and that we are committed to a cycle of improvement.
Document Library
2025/6 ESG Policy
2024/5 Good Economy Report
Carbon Reduction Plan
Net Zero Carbon Roadmap