As the renter demographic in the U.S. starts to slants towards younger, the demand for eco-friendly living continues to rise. This trend presents rental property owners and property managers with an exceptional opportunity to embrace sustainable practices that can benefit the environment – and your bottom line. Lowering the environmental impact of your rental property definitely appeals to more than just conscientious renters. It can, on top of everything else, reduce operating costs, enhance property values and improve sustainability. Let’s take a closer look at the key sustainable practices every property manager and owner should know to bring on greener, more practically efficient properties that residents will relish in.
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
One of the most convenient ways to incorporate green living into your rental property is to enhance your energy efficiency. A more efficient property oftentimes brings on lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint. A number of examples of simple energy-efficient upgrades you should check out include LED lighting, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient appliances. If you want to go even bigger, study executing a home energy assessment that largely pinpoints other areas you can improve, like leaky windows and doors or inadequate insulation in walls and ceilings. Regardless of which upgrades you put into effect, you can use these to increase the allure for your next environmentally friendly resident.
Realistic Water Conservation Techniques
Lots of people hear “water conservation” and abruptly tune out. With that said, for rental property managers and owners, conserving water is a focal part of going green. As an illustration, think about installing low-flow fixtures, replacing old or leaking ones, using water-efficient irrigation in the yard, and investing in drought-resistant landscaping. Landscaping, most importantly, is an area where most rental houses can make necessary conservation upgrades. Simply preferring to use native plants well adapted to your area, as an illustration, can help reduce your water needs, minimize maintenance, and, indeed, create a sustainable, eco-conscious property your tenants will be fond of.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs
Another wonderful option to attract environmentally friendly renters is to totally encourage and become involved in recycling and other waste management programs. One example is looking into recycling programs in your area and then provide bins and information to your residents. By making recycling and waste reduction trouble-free for them, you can help reduce your disposal costs while immensely appealing to renters interested in reducing their carbon footprint.
Green Building Materials and Practices
At length, property managers and owners can embark on sustainable practices by simply making more deliberate and environmentally friendly choices in the event of repairing or updating their rental property. For example, select sustainable building and finishing materials, such as bamboo, recycled wood or steel, and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, if at all possible. Furthermore, you can easily highlight these practices in your marketing materials and expound on how they improve indoor air quality and promote a healthy living environment. Plenty of renters will appreciate your concern for their health and your eco-friendly practices.
The Benefits and Challenges of Sustainability
Properly incorporating sustainable practices into your property management technique can present tangible benefits for the environment and a healthier cash flow. From energy-efficient upgrades and water conservation practices to boosting recycling and using eco-friendly materials, green living strategies can improve your property’s value and certainy appeal to current and future residents while reducing long-term costs.
But on the flip side, putting into effect these and other sustainable practices takes time, and assimilating where to start can be tough. For that reason, at Real Property Management VA Peninsula, we’re here to help you actualize these programs and in turn, create greener, more efficient properties in Williamsburg and nearby. Contact us today or call 757-251-9188 to determine how we can help you adopt sustainable practices that will greatly benefit your properties, residents, and the planet.
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