New study on link between sustainability and tenant satisfaction
Post date: Mar 4, 2015 7:02:20 AM
WASHINGTON, DC, - DTZ, a global leader in commercial real estate services, has completed research revealing a link between tenant satisfaction and sustainability efforts in buildings.
DTZ Vice President, Sustainability Services Allison Porter and DTZ Economist Rebecca Rockey evaluated responses to Kingsley Associates’ tenant surveys–the industry standard in measuring tenant satisfaction–relative to common sustainability certifications. The study examined three building-specific certifications: the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EB), EPA’s ENERGY STAR and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Sustainability and Energy Scorecard, a sustainability evaluation standard for federal government-occupied buildings. Ms. Porter and Ms. Rockey analyzed 61 office buildings in the Washington, DC, region.
“This research confirms what we’ve long assumed – that sustainability impacts how tenants perceive their workplace,” said Marla Maloney, President, Asset Services, Americas at DTZ. “It also bolsters previous research linking sustainability to improved property values and returns. Sustainability is not only a measure to improve our built and natural environment, it’s also a sound, forward-thinking business practice with a proven, positive business impact, from lowering costs to improving client services and satisfaction.”
Research findings include:
• Buildings with at least one sustainability certification had an average Kingsley score 7 points higher
than buildings with no certifications.
• Buildings with one certification had slightly higher Kingsley tenant satisfaction scores than those with
no certifications, while buildings with two or more certifications had significantly higher scores.
• ENERGY STAR buildings’ Kingsley scores averaged 30 points higher than non-ENERGY STAR.
• LEED EB buildings’ Kingsley scores averaged 10 points better than buildings without a LEED EB
certification.
• The OMB Sustainability and Energy Scorecard did not have a statistically significant impact on
tenant satisfaction scores.
“Sustainability proponents often make claims about the benefits of environmental responsibility without offering proof. We’d rather rely on the facts–we serve our clients best when we offer evidence-based advice,” Ms. Porter said. “These findings are an excellent basis to continue our research on the interaction between sustainability efforts and key business drivers. Building owners and users alike can use this kind of data to make better real estate decisions.”