Green Landlording: Getting Tenants To Go Green

Getting Tenants to Go Green.

As property managers, we can't insist on behavioral changes. Going green can be a  tough sell to a renter. After all, a building is only as green as the people who manage and live in it. Managers are key players and can encourage  activities that reduce consumption and waste. The catalyst is education.

We Are All Stakeholders
You need to demonstrate the benefits. Tenants can be inspired to go green by emphasizing a better living environment and eco citizenship. Getting to that point, begins at the leasing process.  Educate tenants on easy, cost effective ways to help the environment. Tips such as using compact fluorescent lights, unplugging electrical devices or recycling. That way both tenants and owner/managers can capture the benefits of saving money and natural resourcesGo for the easy things.

Its Good Business
An apartment.com study reports found tenants want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. More than 25% said they would pay more in rent to save money on energy costs. So set the tone for sustainability by making environmentally-friendly choices. Here are some easy,  inexpensive ways that go a long ways towards a more sustainable healthier environment. For more energy saving ideas go here

Low Flow Toilets - Cost - $150-1500.00
If you decide that it is time for a toilet replacement, you reduce water use and bank teh savings. Replacing a 18 litre per flush toilet with an ultra-low-volume 6 litre flush model represents a 70% savings in water flushed. You can save as much as 7500 gallons of clean, fresh water annually

Shower Heads - Cost - $15-100.00
Conventional showerheads have flow rates up to 4 to 5 gallons per minute. A good low-flow showerhead can reduce water use by 50% and still provide a good shower

Faucets - 
Leaky Faucet: One drop per second can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week. Deferring basic maintenance can be costly.

Faucets Aerators - Cost - Less than $5.00
Conventional faucets have an average flow rate of almost 4 gallons per minute. Faucet aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50%, and reduce your heating costs as a bonus.

Programmable Thermostats - Cost - $50-150.00
Tenants save up to 20% of total energy costs using a programmable thermostat by reducing temperature 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day, whenever possible.
Start small and do the easy things first. Talk up green living at the lease signing and be a partner in creating a safer and healthier living environment. There is no better way to change behavior then by setting a good example. And by the way, reducing operating costs is good business. Save money and do well by doing good.

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