Going green is one of the sure ways to make your rental property a tenant’s first choice. Just by adopting some eco-friendly alternatives, you do your bit for the environment, save money on maintenance and attract a better kind of resident.
Today, most tenants are environmentally conscious and prefer homes that have embraced greener options. Therefore, greener units are a great selling point and differentiate your property from another one down the road.
Here are some ways to help you get started in greening your rental property;
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Letting the incandescent light bulbs go for compact fluorescents or even LEDs that are becoming easily available can help you save a significant amount of energy as well as money. The CFLs produce the same amount of light as traditional bulbs with a usage of less energy.
- Repaint your property with low or no VOC paints. Every time you do the general maintenance of your property by giving it a fresh painting, use paints with lower organic pollutants contained in VOC paints. This will help to improve the quality of life of your residents by reducing the environmental impact and increasing indoor air quality.
- Go for green landscaping Transforming your rental property with some greenery space leads to a vibrant landscape that engages your tenants’ senses in every way possible. Allowing tenants to garden whenever possible, maintaining areas with trees and shrubs will not only provide for add ambiance but also clean the air and improve the neighborhood as well.
- Save on water Use low-flow water fixtures and toilets that enable you to save on water and money especially if you pay your tenant’s bill. Many utilities and city governments offer incentives for installing low-flow fixtures thus saving on costs. You can also consider installing rooftop catchment systems and rain barrels to reduce water use and maintain the landscape even during the hotter periods.
- Install new appliances If you are using old appliances, usually more than ten years, then it is time to consider getting new ones. Encourage tenants to use ENERGY STAR rated appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, etc. to save on energy. An older HVAC system, for instance, could be using more energy than new ones do forcing you to pay high energy bills. An energy saving heat and cooling system is not only good for the environment but also good for the residents’ health and helps trim on energy costs in the long run.
- Install programmable thermostats It’s crucial for you to invest in programmable thermostats that help control temperatures in your property as desired and help save considerably on utility bills.
Whatever approaches you choose to adopt to make your rental property greener, play them to both your advantage as well as that of your prospective tenant.