Category: Sustainability

A Landlord You Can Rely On: Renting with ThamesWey Housing

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on A Landlord You Can Rely On: Renting with ThamesWey Housing
New Woodlands
Yellow Phase
Merchant House

ThamesWey Housing has spent more than 20 years investing in high-quality, professionally managed homes across Woking and Surrey, offering residents something increasingly rare in the private rented sector: a landlord with genuine long-term commitment.

Quality Homes, Professionally Managed

With around 1,450 properties ranging from modern apartments to family homes, every ThamesWey property is overseen by experienced housing professionals, with most homes managed directly by our in-house team, ensuring a responsive, courteous, and reliable service for every resident.

Safety First

Resident safety is a core priority. All homes undergo regular gas and electrical checks, alongside fire safety assessments across multi-occupancy buildings. Compliance is monitored proactively to ensure every property meets required standards, not just on paper, but in practice.

Leading on Energy

ThamesWey has made sustained investment in energy-efficient homes. Since 2020, all new-build developments – including Harrington Place, Sheerwater regeneration schemes, The Cornerstone and The Reeds – have achieved EPC B rating or above, with the newest family homes at The Reeds reaching EPC A.

Across the wider portfolio, 90% of homes already meet or exceed EPC C rating, well ahead of the government’s 2030 target for the private rented sector. Better insulation and efficient heating mean lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact for our tenants.

Find Your ThamesWey Home

ThamesWey offers a wide range of homes across Woking and Surrey at market, affordable and social-equivalent rents. To view current availability, visit: Property Search

Greener by Design: ThamesWey’s Commitment to Energy Efficient Homes

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on Greener by Design: ThamesWey’s Commitment to Energy Efficient Homes
Fairfax Place, Murray Place and Murray Green
Harrington Place

Energy efficiency is not a trend for ThamesWey, it has been a core principle for years. Whilst much of the private rented sector is now racing to meet the government’s proposed EPC C rating minimum by 2030, ThamesWey has already delivered hundreds of homes that exceed that standard.

A Sector Under Pressure – and a Different Response

Private renters face the highest rates of fuel poverty in England, and nearly half of all rental homes still fall below EPC C rating. For many landlords, upgrading by 2030 will be a major challenge.

ThamesWey took a different approach. Since Harrington Place in 2020, every major development has been built to EPC B or above, with the newest family homes at The Reeds achieving an EPC A rating. Even The Cornerstone – a complex town centre refurbishment – achieved B and C ratings.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Behind the EPC ratings is a consistent programme of investment in low-carbon technology:

  • District heat networks across Sheerwater developments, providing efficient heating and hot water to hundreds of apartments.
  • Air source heat pumps at Pine Grove and The Reeds, removing gas entirely.
  • Solar photovoltaic panels on every home at The Reeds, generating renewable energy directly for each household.
  • Triple glazing as standard across the new-build portfolio.
  • EV charging points and secure bicycle storage across multiple schemes.

For residents, the benefits are immediate: lower energy bills, warmer homes, and long-term comfort.

Efficiency Across Every Tenure

Crucially, ThamesWey’s energy performance standards apply across all rent levels, not just full market rent. Social equivalent rent homes at Murray Place and Murray Green, affordable rent homes at Yellow Phase and Harrington Place, and sheltered housing at New Woodlands all meet the same high standards.

Since 2021, more than 500 EPC B-or-above rated homes have been delivered in Sheerwater alone. When you include Harrington Place and The Cornerstone, ThamesWey has produced over 800 highly efficient homes since 2020 – years ahead of national requirements.

Leading, Not Following

As the private rented sector prepares for significant regulatory change, ThamesWey is already operating at the level others are now being asked to reach. This was not driven by compliance; it was driven by purpose.

ThamesWey exists to provide good homes that are safe, well-managed, comfortable, and affordable to live in over the long-term.

Greener by design. Better by intention.

ThamesWey Publishes Baseline Impact Report Assessing Housing, Energy and Community Outcomes

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on ThamesWey Publishes Baseline Impact Report Assessing Housing, Energy and Community Outcomes

ThamesWey has released its Baseline Impact Report, an independently produced assessment of the social, environmental and economic outcomes delivered across its housing and energy portfolio up to July 2025. The report was prepared by The Good Economy, one of the UK’s leading advisory firms specialising in impact measurement and management.

Drawing on resident surveys, site visits, portfolio data and interviews with Woking Borough Council, the report highlights ThamesWey’s significant role in Woking’s housing and sustainability landscape. According to the findings, ThamesWey has:

  • Delivered 832 new homes, representing 28% of all homes built in Woking since 2011
  • Achieved 88% resident satisfaction, outperforming national benchmarks
  • Invested £5.9m in energy‑efficiency upgrades across 326 homes, with estimated lifetime carbon savings of over 10,000 tCO₂e delivering environmental benefit alongside improved living conditions
  • Developed homes where 82% achieve EPC A or B, significantly above national averages

The report also sets out recommendations for safeguarding social impact during Woking Borough Council’s ongoing Section 114 process, including protecting affordable housing, improving communication on energy costs, and ensuring any future ownership changes maintain public value.

View a copy of the full report here: ThamesWey Baseline Impact Report (October 2025)

About The Good Economy

The Good Economy (TGE) is a specialist impact advisory firm known for its rigorous, evidence‑based approach to evaluating social value, ESG performance and place‑based outcomes. TGE works with investors, local authorities and organisations across the UK to build credible impact frameworks and independently assess real‑world results.

The Reeds: 77 EPC A-rated Family Homes Beside the Basingstoke Canal

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on The Reeds: 77 EPC A-rated Family Homes Beside the Basingstoke Canal

ThamesWey’s most advanced development to date, The Reeds brings 77 spacious family homes to Sheerwater. Each home is powered by its own solar panels and air source heat pump, and each is built to the highest possible EPC A rating.

Homes Designed for Modern Family Life

The Reeds offers a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, available at both full market and affordable rent rates, reflecting ThamesWey’s consistent commitment to tenure diversity within its developments. Every home includes: a private garden; generous room sizes; high-quality finishes; integrated appliances; and, contemporary layouts.

Sustainability Built In

As standard across the entire development every property features:

  • Individual air source heat pump (no gas)
  • Individual solar photovoltaic panels, generating renewable energy for the household
  • Triple glazing for year-round comfort
  • A private EV charging point
A Setting that Supports Community

Bordering the Basingstoke Canal, The Reeds benefits from landscaped communal grounds and a dedicated children’s play area, offering families genuine access to green space and a strong sense of community.

Availability

For current availability, please visit our property search.

Space and Style at Merchant House, Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on Space and Style at Merchant House, Sheerwater

Merchant House, launched in March 2024, is a purpose-built development delivering 39 high-quality one, two and three-bedroom apartments – all at full market rent, and all finished to the standard that defines ThamesWey’s approach across its portfolio.

High-Quality Homes, Built for Comfort

Every Merchant House apartment is EPC B rated, triple-glazed and served by a district heat network for efficient, low-maintenance heating and hot water. Each home includes a private balcony or terrace, with clean, contemporary interiors throughout.

Thoughtful Communal Space

Residents benefit from a landscaped podium garden – a welcoming outdoor space that enhances everyday living. Merchant House also shares a secure car park with the New Woodlands development, offering standard and EV charging bays (available at additional cost) and free bicycle storage.

Part of a Growing Community

Located within the wider Sheerwater regeneration area, Merchant House sits alongside New Woodlands, Guild Lodge, Pine Grove, and Yellow Phase forming one of Surrey’s most significant clusters of high-quality, purpose-built rental homes.

Availability

Merchant House apartments are available at full market rent across all bedroom sizes. For current availability, please visit our property search.

Urban Living Reimagined: Pine Grove Brings Contemporary Mews Houses to Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on Urban Living Reimagined: Pine Grove Brings Contemporary Mews Houses to Sheerwater

The classic London mews house has long been one of the city’s most desirable property types. Pine Grove brings that same character and considered design to Woking.

Launched in March 2024, Pine Grove comprises ten contemporary mews houses – nine three-bedroom homes (approx. 107 sq m) and one two-bedroom home (approx. 91 sq m), arranged in two neat rows with striking red brick facades and a specification that stands apart in the local rental market.

Thoughtful, Modern Layouts

The three-bedroom homes are arranged over two floors:

Ground Floor: covered carport with two parking spaces and EV charging, cloakroom, first bedroom and kitchen.

First Floor: vaulted-ceiling living room, master bedroom with ensuite, third ensuite bedroom, and a generous private terrace.

The two-bedroom home follows the same design principles, with two uncovered parking bays.

The vaulted first floor living space is a standout feature – bright, spacious, and genuinely distinctive for a rental home.

Sustainable Design

Every Pine Grove home includes:

  • Air source heat pump (no gas)
  • Triple-glazing
  • EPC B or C ratings
  • EV charging built into every carport

A sustainability specification well ahead of the rental sector norm.

Availability

Pine Grove homes are available at full market rent. For current availability, please visit our property search.

Something Different: Guild Lodge Brings Exceptional Maisonette Living to Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston | Leave a Comment on Something Different: Guild Lodge Brings Exceptional Maisonette Living to Sheerwater

Seven homes. One with two bedrooms and six with three bedrooms. Vaulted ceilings, skylights, and private balconies – all in a purpose-built rental setting. Guild Lodge is intentionally different.

Launched in January 2024, Guild Lodge offers something rarely found in the rental market: the space, character and specification of a high-quality house, designed from the ground up for modern renters.

Thoughtfully Designed, Split-Level Living

Each three-bedroom maisonette is arranged across two floors.

  • Ground Floor: entrance hallway, two bedrooms and a family bathroom – a practical layout that keeps sleeping areas private.
  • Upper Floor: a dramatic open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with a vaulted ceiling, integrated skylights, and direct access to a private balcony. In the 3-bedroom maisonettes, here you will find the third bedroom and second bathroom.

The vaulted ceiling and skylights define the home. Bright, spacious, and genuinely distinctive.

Private Balcony

Every Guild Lodge maisonette has a good-sized private balcony, accessed from the main living area – a genuinely useful outdoor space for relaxing or simply enjoying the extra breathing room that most rental homes cannot offer.

High Specification and Sustainable by Design

All seven homes are EPC B rated, connected to the district heat network for efficient heating and hot water supply, and are finished to a consistently high standard throughout. Each has access to a private parking bay, at an additional charge.

Availability

Guild Lodge maisonettes are available at full market rent. For current availability, please visit our property search.

EMS 747491

ThamesWey secures internationally recognised certification for its Environmental Management System

Posted on | by Akiko Design

In support of ThamesWey’s ambition to make continual improvements to its environmental performance, ThamesWey has implemented an Environmental Management System conforming to the internationally recognised standard ISO 14001.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) were chosen as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited certification body, to certify ThamesWey’s management system. BSI conducted two stages of audits, which covered ThamesWey’s Woking headquarters and its Milton Keynes energy centre. The full scope of activity covered by this certification is :

Provision of low carbon, decentralised energy services to commercial, public and domestic customers’ and head office business administration activities.

Achieving ISO 14001 certification is the culmination of efforts from all staff, though these efforts have already paid dividends with the Environmental Management System proving its value during implementation. In recognition of the value brought by the system, ThamesWey intends to expand the scope of the system and certification to other core group activities over the next year.

The accreditation continues ThamesWey’s long-standing commitment to placing sustainability at the heart of our activities.

ThamesWey is now certified to ISO 14001, certificate number EMS 767491.

Large-scale retrofit, delivered at pace – Stories from three recipients

ThamesWey’s impartial energy efficiency advice service – Action Surrey – has continued to deliver domestic energy efficiency services on behalf of the partnership of Surrey local authorities. Since the spring, Action Surrey has carried out the second phase of the Local Authority Delivery Green Homes Grant project, further helping residents to upgrade the energy performances of their homes through the installation of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation, solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal systems. The scheme, aimed at reducing the energy demands and carbon emissions of residential properties across Surrey, has enabled the installation of 216 energy efficiency measures for 129 households, at no cost to the householder. Read on to hear what some of the grant recipients had to say. 

Mr Everington – Surrey Heath 

Mr Everington in Camberley applied for funding to increase the overall efficiency of his house. After an initial survey, Mr. Everington was not only eligible for loft and cavity wall insulation, but was also able to have solar panels too. A total of 8 solar panels were installed to the front and rear of his home, meaning he will be producing free electricity whilst staying nice and warm this winter. 

Having access to green, renewable energy has been a delight for Mr Everington, who found the process was efficiently carried out by Action Surrey: 

“It will make a considerable difference to me financially and I can look forward to a warmer winter in my home.  With soaring energy costs, the timing of this couldn’t be more appreciated and will ease my anxiety around rising energy costs.”  

 Mr Everington also commented on the quality and efficiency of the workmanship. He found that the contractors arrived punctually and were very polite and respectful of his property. He also noted that the work was completed according to the expected timescale and that he would have no hesitation in recommending Action Surrey in the future. 

Mr Everington's solar photovoltaic installation - front and rear aspects of the property.

Mr Willingale – Elmbridge

Mr Willingale from West Molesey was equally delighted to have been accepted for funding to install solar photovoltaic panels. After having 10 panels installed totalling an output of 4 kW, Mr Willingale told the Action Surrey team that he is already noticing a significant reduction in his electrical demand from the grid. Expected energy bill reductions for the household are expected to be £291, with a reduction in CO2 emissions of 1.4tCO2e.

“I am now a proud participant in the drive to reduce carbon emissions and benefit from the cost reduction in my electricity bill.”

When asked about his experience with the installation, Mr Willingale commented that the nominated installers were extremely helpful, always available and informative, leaving a wonderful overall review of the scheme. He is now preparing to sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee scheme, allowing him to sell any unused electricity back to the grid for an agreed upon tariff, further supporting his energy costs.

Mr Willingale’s solar photovoltaic installation.

 

Ms Deary – Waverley

Ms Deary from Godalming was interested in obtaining Solar power for her wonderfully-rustic 20th century cottage in Godalming. She was impressed by the efficiency of the application process, stating:

“l was hesitant about submitting an application in the first place, they [Action Surrey] made the whole thing very straightforward, answering all my questions and being very helpful. l feel extremely grateful to them for all their advice and guidance along the way”.

After surveying the property, Ms Deary was able to have 10 solar panels installed with the work being completed in just one day. Her projected bill savings are £357 per year, with a solar electricity output of 3.6kW. The property’s CO2 savings are projected to be 1.6tCO2e per annum.

Ms Deary’s solar installation on her 20th century cottage.

ThamesWey wins £9.4m Government support for lower carbon heat

Posted on | by Akiko Design

ThamesWey Energy’s plans to expand and decarbonise the supply of heat to Woking town centre have received £9.4m of Government support through the national Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP).   

Over the next 7 years, the funding will help towards the costs of extending Woking’s heat and cooling networks to supply energy to new developments in the town centre including sites south of the railway, and will enable existing district heat and cooling networks to be connected to ThamesWey’s new Poole Road energy centre and cooling facilities. The HNIP funding will also enable further decarbonisation of heat through the addition of large-scale heat pumps and heat storage capacity at Poole Road.  The HNIP funding will provide almost half the total programme of investment of £19m, with construction phased up to the end of the decade.  When complete, Woking town centre will benefit from one of the lowest carbon heating systems in the UK.

Poole Road Energy Centre