The topic of climate change has been gaining in popularity during the last few decades. However, many people are still apprehensive and don’t think their actions could make any difference. If we want to stop the progress of climate change or at least slow it down, people need to do their bit to improve the situation. Every small step and help count. In the rental industry, landlords can take steps to reduce the carbon footprint of the properties in their portfolios. Go through all the necessary safety checks, ensure no draft goes through the house, and change your light fixtures. When more people get on board, the difference will be more tangible. Here are more ways landlords can make their property more sustainable.
Pay Attention To All The Gaps And Cracks You Can Find
To make the building more environmentally friendly, you need to make sure that there is no air escaping or coming in through gaps or cracks. If there are any gaps in the house, it might be more difficult to maintain the temperature at a pleasant level in the winter. The warmth would be quickly replaced by cold air coming from the outside, and it would take your tenants longer to make the house warm. On the other hand, tenants might struggle with heat in the summer months. If you seal all the gaps on the property, your tenants might be able to regulate the temperature better. In the end, it might help them to lower their bills and reduce the carbon footprint of the building at the same time. If you are ever unsure on what you are looking for we would suggest checking out the best snagging specialist in Greater Manchester.
Make Sure That The House Is Well-Insulated
One of the ways to make a property more sustainable is to reduce the energy usage of the inhabitants. To ensure that your tenants can use electricity and gas wisely, you need to look at the condition of the insulation on the property. When a building is poorly insulated, it could make the bills of your tenants fly through the roof. While taking on an insulation project can be rather expensive, it can save you and your tenants a lot of money in the future. As a landlord, you might also be able to apply for funding for a roof or cavity wall insulation that might lower your expenses a bit. To find out if you’re eligible or if there are any other solutions you should know about, get in touch with your local authority, who might be able to help you.
Stay On Top Of All The Inspections
When appliances and other parts of the property aren’t in good condition, your tenants might be wasting a lot of energy and making your carbon footprint soar. Therefore, you need to make sure that everything is working correctly and that your tenants aren’t at risk. Once a year, you should arrange an inspection that could allow you to renew your Gas Safety Certificate for Landlords. Providers like Trade Facilities Services can help you to learn more about the process, and you can view the price list online on their website. Inspections, regular checks and proper maintenance might help you to ensure that all the appliances work well, and that the property is as energy-efficient as possible.
Install Eco-Friendly Lighting Fixtures
Moving the properties in your portfolio closer to the green future doesn’t need to be too difficult. Sometimes even a small step like changing your light bulbs and fixtures can make a significant difference. If you still use incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs on your property, you should consider switching to LED lights, as these can bring many advantages to you and your tenants. If you decide to go for the more energy-efficient light fixtures, your tenants might be able to cut their bills significantly. LED light bulbs use less energy than the previous models and can produce just as much light. At the same time, its light is close to natural sunlight, which might be beneficial for the mental health of your tenants. Once you reduce the energy usage of the property, your property will be one step closer to a sustainable future.
Conclusion: Start Your Journey To The Green Future Now
Your wishes for an environmentally friendly property might not come true if your tenants aren’t on board. To make your efforts as effective as possible, you need to start a conversation with your tenants and ask them for help. With clear and open dialogue, they might be more open to your expectations. And if you equip the house that can make it easier, your tenants might try harder. After all, making the property more sustainable isn’t going to be beneficial only for you. When your tenants start to monitor their energy usage and make wiser choices, they might be able to cut their bills. Start the conversation as soon as possible and join the community of people who care about the environment.