Your Community Space
Understand your building, ownership arrangements, and planning for improvements.
Before investing in sustainability improvements, it's essential to understand your community space – who owns it, what permissions you need, and what condition it's in. This foundation will help you plan effectively and avoid costly mistakes.
Ownership & Permissions
Understanding who owns your building and what you're permitted to do is the first step. If you rent or lease your space, check your agreement for clauses about improvements. Many landlords welcome sustainability upgrades as they increase property value and reduce running costs.
- Review your lease agreement for improvement clauses
- Arrange a meeting with your landlord to discuss sustainability plans
- Get written permission before starting any works
- Negotiate cost-sharing arrangements for improvements
- Seek a long-term lease (10+ years) for investment security
Know Your Building
Gathering information about your building helps identify opportunities and requirements. Key information includes: the year built (affects insulation standards), floor area in square meters (needed for grants), and any existing BER (Building Energy Rating) certificate.
- Find out when your building was constructed
- Measure or obtain the floor area in square meters
- Obtain building drawings from your landlord or local authority
- Get a BER assessment if you don't have one
Additional Resources
External resources to help you on your journey.