Carbon Data for BTR Growth: Why Accuracy Drives Success

Posted on: November 5, 2025

The UK Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector is experiencing a period of rapid expansion. According to Knight Frank’s latest market update, over £3 billion has been invested so far in 2025, with more than £850 million deployed in Q3 alone—up 35% year-on-year. The sector now boasts 153,367 completed homes, with a further 54,354 under construction, and is on track to surpass 200,000 operational homes within the next few years.

This growth story is compelling, but it comes with a caveat: sustainability and compliance are no longer optional, they are fundamental to long-term success. At the heart of this lies one critical enabler: accurate carbon datasets.

Why Carbon Accuracy Matters More Than Ever

Institutional investors are increasingly prioritising ESG performance. In fact, Knight Frank’s research shows that UK BTR has captured almost 30% of European investor appetite since 2023, despite a challenging economic backdrop. This appetite is conditional on transparency and compliance, areas where carbon data plays a pivotal role.

Accurate carbon datasets allow developers and operators to:

  • Meet ESG and regulatory requirements efficiently, avoiding costly delays.
  • Benchmark performance across portfolios to identify improvement opportunities.
  • De-risk investments by demonstrating resilience and alignment with net-zero targets.

With policy uncertainty and construction viability challenges already impacting the sector, such as Gateway approval delays averaging 36 weeks—carbon clarity is essential for maintaining momentum.

The Link Between Carbon Data and Sector Growth

The BTR market’s expansion is not just about delivering units; it’s about delivering sustainable, future-proof assets. Carbon datasets underpin:

  • Forward funding decisions for large-scale developments, where ESG compliance is a prerequisite.
  • Operational efficiency, enabling energy optimisation and emissions tracking across thousands of homes.
  • Long-term asset value, as carbon transparency becomes a differentiator for institutional capital.

Consider this: asking rents have risen 30% since 2020, and rental inflation is forecast at 4% for 2025, with 18.8% growth expected over the next five years. As affordability pressures mount, energy efficiency and carbon performance will increasingly influence tenant choice and investor confidence.

Our Role: Turning Carbon Complexity into Clarity

As a specialist deeply embedded in the Build-to-Rent sector, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with scaling sustainable portfolios. Our expertise goes beyond data collection, we deliver actionable intelligence that drives growth and compliance.

Here’s how we support BTR stakeholders:

  • Granular, auditable datasets aligned with industry standards for complete transparency.
  • Advanced analytics and benchmarking tools to unlock portfolio-wide insights and performance optimisation.
  • ESG reporting frameworks tailored to investor and regulatory expectations, ensuring confidence at every stage.

We don’t just provide data, we integrate carbon intelligence into your asset strategy, helping you move beyond compliance and transform sustainability into a competitive advantage.

The Future Is Data-Driven and Low-Carbon

As the sector navigates economic headwinds and policy shifts, one truth remains: sustainability and growth are inseparable. Accurate carbon datasets are the foundation for both. For investors, developers, and operators committed to building a resilient BTR market, now is the time to make carbon data a strategic priority.