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December 17, 2018

If you are looking to make changes in your rental business in 2019, consider more than just your profits. Consider giving back to the environment this year by choosing environmentally friendly options for your rental business.

The following are easy, actionable items that you can implement in 2019 to become a more environmentally friendly landlord.

1. Convert Your Yard Into a Sustainable Landscape

Let’s face it. Most of the time, tenants aren’t the most responsible when it comes to taking care of a lush lawn. You can help out the environment and protect your rental property by converting your yard into a more sustainable landscape.

For example, if you are operating a rental in a climate where grass requires a lot of watering, look into hiring a landscaping company to instead convert the yard into a xeriscape (also called a zero-scape). By creating a yard that is designed around the local climate, you can cut down on wasted water. You can also save yourself from finding a dead or overgrown yard at the end of a renter’s lease.

2. Switch To Paperless Processes

If you are still using paper applications, paper flyers, or printing your rental ad in a newspaper, consider going paperless. This will not only benefit the planet, it will also save you the hassle of keeping track of paperwork.

Start by marketing online through the numerous free outlets available. This will help your property gain the most reach, with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Next, switch over to using an online rental application. This will cut down drastically on the amount of paper you use during the rental process. It will also make organization easier for you, as well as make the process more appealing to renters who would rather fill something out online than mail something to you.

3. Upgrade Those Appliances

One of the best ways to cut down on the energy used at your rental property is to improve your appliances. While you can’t control how your renters use energy, you can choose green energy choices.

  • New washing machines and dryers utilize less electricity and water.
  • High-efficiency toilets will use, on average, 55 percent less water than a conventional toilet.
  • Smart thermostats allow renters to utilize their heating and cooling system in a more efficient manner.
  • Improve lighting with LED or other energy efficient options.

These are just some of the many green options available for your rental. Depending on the type of property you have, you can utilize a few ideas or dozens.

The Added Benefit: Going Green = Increased Interest

Going green with your rental business will not only give back to the environment, it will also give back to your pocketbook. In markets where you have a hard time standing out from competition, offering rentals with built in energy savings will be a huge draw to renters.

Be sure to make the most of your green upgrades by listing the improvements in your property ad. Let renters know the benefits they will derive from the environmentally friendly options you outfit the unit with.

This article was contributed by our good friends at TurboTenant.

TurboTenant is revolutionizing the rental process by providing savvy landlords with cutting-edge technology that’s intuitive, powerful, fast and free. Through one-click online rental marketing, fully integrated tenant screening, and customizable property websites, TurboTenant is changing the way landlords manage property. Sign up for TurboTenant today and see how our free landlord software will simplify your life.

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