Top 7 eco-friendly features for rental properties in Ontario

With enhanced awareness about the environment, both tenants and landlords are becoming interested in how to make rental properties more eco-friendly. In Ontario, a very proactive state on sustainability, green features in a rental unit are good for the environment and enhance the property's appeal. Representing over 22,000 properties, Royal York Property Management is one of the largest property management and award-winning rental companies in Canada, with about $10.1 billion in our portfolio. We know that today's tenants are environmentally savvy, so let us talk about the top seven eco-friendly features a rental property in Ontario should possess, together with some fresh insights from the trends starting in 2024.

1. Energy-Efficient Appliances    

Due to their lower costs and favorable environmental effects, energy-efficient appliances continue to be in demand. Maximum customer demand is for appliances with an ENERGY STAR label, which symbolizes maximum energy efficiency. In particular, low-energy dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators find special takers among tenants in Ontario.  By investing in these appliances, landlords not only reduce utility costs for tenants but also promote their properties as eco-friendly, making them more appealing to tenants who value sustainability.

2. Sustainable Design and Materials

For eco-friendly rental homes to be viable, sustainable building materials must be used. Items such as reclaimed or recycled materials for flooring, cabinetry, and even counter tops make perfect uses for this type of material. Meanwhile, painting and finishing with low-VOC will give a huge boost to interior air quality. Finally, touting the benefits of this green design with potential tenants will allow landlords to go beyond talking about immediate benefits to point out long-term positive impacts on the environment and human health. In being so, it not only fosters eco-conscious tenants but also works toward creating a sustainable future.

3. Optimized Heating and Cooling Systems  

It is important to have an efficient heating and cooling system for tenant comfort and savings in energy. Programmable thermostats enable easy temperature changes by tenants according to their schedules, ensuring there is always optimal usage of energy. Proper insulation also plays a crucial role—some of it helps reduce heat loss during winters, and others help units stay cooler during summers. Finally, regular maintenance on the HVAC system is required for these systems to work efficiently. In return, landlords can make a maximum profit on their apartments by offering comfort in suitably optimized heating and cooling systems while lowering utility bills.

4. Smart Lighting Solutions 

LED remains the gold standard of energy-efficient lighting. As they are more energy-efficient, they also last way longer than regular bulbs. Motion sensors and timers, in most cases, help turn off lights when not in use. Educating tenants about the benefits of smart lighting, including reduced electricity bills and a healthier environment, can enhance their appreciation for these features. Installing dimmer switches allows the tenant to adjust the lighting levels around the work pace to their liking, hence contributing to comfort and satisfaction.

5. Water-Saving Fixtures 

These low-flow plumbing fixtures include faucets, shower heads, and toilets. With Ontario facing periodic water shortages, these become the most critical facets. The landlords may use aerators on the faucets and dual-flush toilets to reduce water usage. To further reinforce the water-saving features, the provision of information to the tenants related to water-saving practices is crucial. By advocating such water-saving measures, landlords contribute towards environmental sustainability while also attracting resource-conserving tenants.

6. Green Outdoor Spaces

With growing interest in wellbeing and the pandemic, tenants are looking to gain access to green spaces. It can improve the entire outlook of a rental property by creating communal gardens, rooftop terraces, or even simple balconies with greenery native to your area. This sort of enabling and incentivizing of tenants holds great potential for building a sense of community and well-being as people engage in activities relating to gardening and the outdoors. Showing the mental and physical health benefits associated with green space might draw in more people searching for a relationship with nature. If landlords invest in green outdoor areas, it will enhance the appeal and marketability of the property dramatically.

7. Renewable Energy Systems  

The trend nowadays in rental properties in terms of sustainability features is renewable energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines. Solar panels will significantly reduce electricity bills by turning energy directly from the sun into clean, renewable energy. For properties that have locations and conditions suitable for wind, it is possible to generate power effectively by using small wind turbines. Renewable Energy Solutions: With the growing consideration for increased energy costs and sustainability, Ontario sees these solutions as drawing much appreciation from tenants. By investing in this kind of system, landlords can attract more environmentally sensitive tenants who are willing to pay a premium for green energy options.

Tenant Education and Engagement

There is a great need to embrace education on green living at the very beginning of the occupancy process. Guidelines on recycling and waste reduction greatly enhance the sustainability culture among tenants. By involving tenants in workshops or webinars on sustainable living, one can achieve a more community-based approach. This can further be infused with energy-saving challenges or community clean-up events to instill a sense of comradeship in securing the environment. It creates a more attractive and coherent living environment in which the tenants are actively involved in the sustainability effort.

This can enhance the overall rental experience when included with eco-friendly features and educating the tenants on them. It not only helps save the environment but also attracts environmentally conscious tenants to ensure a greener Ontario. Royal York Property Management endeavors to ensure that the landlords are assisted in implementing these strategies in their respective rental properties for a sustainable and desirable output. For more information on how we can assist you in making your property eco-friendly, visit our website: http://royalyorkpropertymanagement.ca.