‘Editor’s Notebook’ Can You Meet the EPA’s Definition of Green Apartments?

My excellent colleague Natasha Selhi passed along some interesting information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this morning. The EPA wants renters to know that, much like single family homeowners, they do have control over how green their apartment homes are; in fact, they can express their dissatisfaction with a current apartment community by moving…

My excellent colleague Natasha Selhi passed along some interesting information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this morning.

The EPA wants renters to know that, much like single family homeowners, they do have control over how green their apartment homes are; in fact, they can express their dissatisfaction with a current apartment community by moving to another.

According to EPA, “A common misconception is that renters have little control over the environmental impacts of their homes. The truth is that renters can influence many environmental aspects of their housing, from choosing where they live to adopting everyday practices that save energy and water.”

EPA has devised a checklist to help select a greener rental house or apartment, as well as to reduce bills and have a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.

EPA suggests that “before you sign a lease, investigate its green features and quality of its indoor environment. Discuss the considerations [on the checklist] as well as any of your own, with your landlord. If the unit does not meet some of the criteria, use your bargaining power and inquire with the landlord about making some updates.”

How is your apartment community doing with green? And will this EPA checklist help—or hurt—your leasing effort?