Incorporating sustainability into property management is necessary in today’s environmentally conscious world. It’s about making decisions that are not only good for the business but also for the environment and the community. That’s why we created this comprehensive list of ideas to help you maintain a sustainable property management business.
But first, here’s what you need to know about Sustainable property management
Sustainability in property management is about embracing practices that reduce the environmental impact of buildings you manage and improve the quality of life for everything and everyone in that location – from animals and neighbors to your guests. This can include energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and using sustainable materials when you do renovations, add amenities and more.
Before you start your sustainability efforts, it’s a good idea to evaluate how sustainable your property is. Start by evaluating your current energy usage, waste management, and water consumption, and make notes of what your environmental impact may be. Then consider what areas you could make improvements in. This could be switching to energy-efficient lighting, installing low-flow water fixtures, or adding more recycling options for guests.
Let’s dive into the details of how to be more sustainable.
Implement energy-efficient technology and practices
- Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances: This reduces energy consumption and can significantly lower utility bills, while also giving your guests more modern appliances to use during their stay. And this could positively impact your ratings.
- Optimize heating and cooling systems: Make sure you’re performing regular maintenance on your air conditioning or heating systems, and install smart thermostats to improve energy efficiency.
- Install insulation: Improve insulation and upgrade to energy-efficient windows to keep the air-conditioned air or heat in, which will reduce your energy costs.
- Consider installing solar panels: They help to reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Make water conservation a priority
- Upgrade to low-flow fixtures: Low-flow toilets and showerheads reduce water usage and this is really important when you have guests who may be less concerned about water wastage that you are.
- Install water-efficient landscaping: Plant drought-resistant plants in your garden and add efficient irrigation systems to minimize water usage in outdoor spaces.
- Prioritize leak detection and repair: Regularly check for and fix leaks to prevent water wastage.
Waste not, want not
- Encourage guests to recycle: Provide easy access to recycling bins and clear instructions on what can be recycled.
- Let them try composting: We know this one is a tough sell. There are guests who may want to try composting though, so make sure you provide the facilities for them to sustainably trash their organic waste.
- Offer electronic waste disposal: You won’t get many guests who need to throw away electronics (depending on how long they stay), but be sure to offer them information and resources for the proper disposal of electronic waste – even batteries need to be properly disposed of.
Cleaning, renovating and gardening matter too
- Choose eco-friendly materials while renovating or redecorating: Use sustainable, non-toxic materials.
- Opt for green cleaning products: Use environmentally friendly cleaning products when cleaning between guests. If you have guests who’re staying a little longer, offer them green cleaning materials or the number of a green cleaning service.
- Make landscaping more sustainable: Opt for native plants and environmentally friendly landscaping practices.
Share your approach to sustainable property management
Many potential guests will appreciate you taking a sustainable approach and may even choose your property over others because you care about the environment. Incorporating sustainability into your property management business strategy does require some commitment but it’s not just good for the planet in the long run, it may also be an added incentive for guests to book your property and give you higher ratings.
Naama is a veteran writer and cross-continental explorer with 20+ years of experience in her field. Professionally, she has the opportunity to liaise with large property management software companies, lending her expertise to their marketing and blog teams. She loves traveling solo or with friends and staying in fabulous properties owned and operated by hospitality managers who understand amazing guest experiences.
