In recent years, environmental activism has become a hot topic. Veganism, ethical consumption, recycling - these are just a few trends related to environmentally-friendly mainstream culture.
Whether you actively contribute to this movement, advocate the general idea, or just pretend to care the main point is that you can’t simply stand aside.
If Greta Thunberg is able to raise awareness on climate change as a teenager, isn’t it worth trying to make your business more eco-friendly too?
Overall, it’s no wonder we are concerned about the impact we’re having on our planet because only we are responsible for what is going on around us. By establishing environmental strategies in your property management business, you can feel good about helping the environment.
Are your rental properties greener than… on the other side?
Green landlords tend to be environmentally conscious and strive for sustainability. Though there aren’t many people who identify as green landlords around the globe, many are trying to become more energy and water efficient to save money (as well as reduce the environmental footprint of their business).
Property management software is a must-have
Property management software is a perfect tool for environmentally conscious landlords and property managers. It provides an option for using electronic documents and minimizes paper waste.
Related: Tax Preparation Online: Going Paperless with Tenantcloud
Doesn’t that seem way too much?
Thanks to digital tools, a landlord can communicate with their tenants, sign lease agreements using E-signature, and collect online payments instead of asking for checks. This means getting closer to zero-waste philosophy by reducing pollution and producing no trash.
Related: 4 Best Energy Efficient Appliances For Your Rental Property
What does a green rental look like?
- It has LED bulbs
LEDs last longer and use less energy in comparison to traditional light bulbs. Replacing normal light bulbs doesn’t take much time, and the price isn’t that high. Another advantage of LEDs is their high Color Rendering Index that allows you to see the real color of objects. Plus, energy-saving LEDs are environmentally safe, causing no harm to the environment.
- It utilizes natural resources
The best way to benefit from natural resources is to install large windows to let natural light in. It will also keep your rental warm during cool summer nights when the heating system is usually turned off.
- It has a water filtration system
By installing a water filtration system, you’re likely to decrease the number of plastic water bottles used on a daily basis. Plus, high-quality water filters will remove contaminants from drinking water while leaving in useful minerals.
- It knows what smart consumption is about
By controlling the temperature inside the apartment and turning off appliances, tenants save energy and lower utility bills. But it’s not only about the economy. Smart consumption is a skill everyone needs to learn in order to contribute to environmental protection.
Related: How green is your property?
Are your tenants environmentally conscious enough?
To make sure your tenants have adopted an eco-conscious mindset, you should talk to them directly about recycling and smart consumption strategies. You can also take a closer look at a few things:
- Water and electricity bills: Smart utility consumption is an accurate indicator of environmental awareness. Lower utility bills - less negative effects.
- Attitude towards plastic products: If your tenants are aware of plastic pollution and the ways to reduce its impact on the environment, they probably sort their waste and tend to reduce plastic usage on a daily basis.
- Environmentally friendly cleaning products: Natural cleaning products are more affordable and less harmful. If your tenants use them at home, you might say they are environmentally-conscious enough.
- Second hand/vintage furniture in the rental: Buying vintage furniture pieces is a budget-friendly and sustainable way to renovate the rental without doing less harm to the planet.
According to our survey, 79% of U.S. landlords would use solar panels and 85% would utilize insulation to improve energy efficiency.
What about you? Do you adopt any eco-friendly practises? Share your thoughts and ideas by leaving comments below. We’d love to hear what you think.
