VervLife Planetary and Environmental Promises

VervLife operates in the built environment sector as a specialist a consultant and operator of residential Build-to-Rent communities and locations. It is active nationwide across the UK and works with many international funds and developers on their domestic UK Build-to Rent projects.

The business was launched in June 2021 to deliver a consciously simple approach to renting for both its clients and residents. Bringing a more planetary-aware and socially impactful approach to the management of rental communities was, and continues to be, a primary ambition behind the founding of the organisation. For our business to succeed, we know we must play our role in driving forward Real Estate’s endeavours to do better by the planet and it’s communities.

VervLife is committed to ensuring to demonstrating a sector-leading approach to sustainability concerns at corporate, portfolio and asset levels.

All change occurs though positive action. That’s why we have struck strategic partnerships and are taking steps across our business to bring our clients and residents the most sustainable build-to-rent service.

Partnerships

We partner with organisations that provide us with advice and accountability on our sustainability programme.

BCorp

We’re on our away to becoming a certified BCorp. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. BCorps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Business Declares

We believe that business has a major part to play in tackling the climate, ecological and social emergency. To support positive action to mitigate the ongoing climate emergency,
we have joined the Business Declares movement.

Business Declares is a not-for-profit organisation formed by senior leaders with a vast range of experience from the SME, B Corp and FTSE100 sectors. This group exists to raise awareness across the business sector of the imperative to accelerate action to address climate change, biodiversity loss and social injustice: the imperative to future proof every business by balancing profits with people and ethics, to live within planetary boundaries.

We are the first real estate business to join the Business Declares community. By joining Business Declares, VervLife has also joined the Race to Zero. This year, over 4,500 organisations have committed to halving global emissions by 2030, by joining the UN-backed, expert-reviewed #RacetoZero campaign. 

Mobile Jungle

All of our devices and hardware are refurbished to Grade A standard and are supplied by Mobile Jungle, a retailer of recycled and refurbished mobile phones. Electronics are responsible for 50 million tons of waste each year, most of it ending up in landfill.

Immune Building Standard

We’re the first BTR operator to become contributors to the IMMUNE Building Standard. With people spending more time than ever indoors, there is an urgent need to re-design and manage buildings to prevent the spread of pathogens and diseases.

The IMMUNE Building Standard™ (IMMUNE™) is the first, open-source global certification standard to certify built environment’s level of immunity to withstand present and future health challenges and minimise the impact of a pandemic such as C OVID-19 and other bacteriological or toxicological threats.

The standard is inspired by technologies and procedures successfully applied in hospitals and “ clean rooms” and adapted for use in real estate.

Asset Level Promises

Green electricity

100% of our supplier’s electricity is backed by REGO (Renewal Energy Guarantees Origin) certificates and Gas is 100% carbon offset.

No printing policy

As a general rule, we don’t print anything. That’s why we equip our teams with tablets and other hardware which allows them to do their jobs effectively without the need for paper. Where we do print, everything is printed on 100% recycled paper stock.

No single-use plastics

The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU. We always procure and use consumables with no single-use plastics inherent within the product or packaging.

Travel & expenses

A commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is reflected in our travel and expense policy for smarter travel choices. The HQ team work from home and only travel when it is necessary to serve our clients and residents better, and we ensure all the flights we take are carbon positive. We also participate in the Cycle to Work scheme.

Living wage

We’re committed to providing good roles, for good people that pay well. We pay the national and London living wage, depending on where our people are based as standard.

Procurement

We only work with suppliers that meet the highest standards of sustainability, climate consciousness and planetary awareness. As a property services provider, we work closely with our partners on an ongoing basis to mitigate our scope 3 carbon impacts.

Overall responsibility for VervLife’s sustainability results lies with Managing Director, Katherine Rose. Delivery of our sustainability strategy is delegated to departmental heads to ensure alignment across the business.