Office users are willing to pay a higher rent for a more energy-efficient building, according to a study carried out by property adviser DTZ Zadelhoff and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The study into office users’ accommodation preferences was carried out among 127 office users in the Netherlands.
Office users are willing to pay a higher rent for a more energy-efficient building, according to a study carried out by property adviser DTZ Zadelhoff and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The study into office users’ accommodation preferences was carried out among 127 office users in the Netherlands.
The report suggests that office users are willing to pay up to three-quarters of the expected savings in energy costs in rent. Furthermore, a more energy-efficient office building - and with it lower service charges - is highly valued by office users.
DTZ Zadelhoff - the Dutch office of DTZ - said that owners are increasingly taking the initiative on energy-saving measures, even though investment in sustainable solutions for office buildings can only be recouped over the long term.
Energy-saving measures require a substantial investment and the energy savings largely benefit the lessee. But the study found that if the owner also benefits from his investment, the willingness to invest will increase.
Bart Vink, Head of Research at DTZ Zadelhoff, said: 'The results of our study show that energy efficiency plays an important role in office users’ choice of accommodation. Usually an office user is willing to pay extra rent for a more energy-efficient building, and there are indications that the lettability of such buildings also increases.'
