Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Green Lease Leaders recognition?
The online application can be found at www.greenleaseleaders.com/apply
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline has not been set for 2021, but has historically been the spring of the recognition year.
How long does the Green Lease Leader designation last?
The Green Lease Leaders designation is valid for three years, after which recipients are invited to reapply.
It will be years before our leases come due for renewal. Can my organization still be recognized?
Yes. Participants are not required to renegotiate existing leases to meet their new green leasing policies before the renewal date. Revised policies and lease language should be the “going-in” offer in lease negotiations in new leases and lease renewals as they occur. The leasing process is a negotiation.
My company is not currently eligible for recognition. How else can we be involved?
Organizations that are committed to green leasing, yet have not been able to meet program requirements, are able to join as participants and receive guidance from IMT and the Better Buildings Alliance on steps to take to implement green leasing best practices and work towards becoming a Green Lease Leader.
What documents can I include in the Green Lease Leaders application?
The language and clauses of any document included in the lease package, including appendices, exhibits, and tenant guides, can be used for in the Green Lease Leaders application.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is the group of buildings or leased spaces to which the participant’s green leasing practices apply. Participants should strive to define the portfolio as all owned buildings or leased spaces in the United States. However, since this broad definition is not always feasible, participants may choose to define their Green Lease Leader portfolio as a subset of their U.S. portfolio. Examples include a regional portfolio or all buildings within an investment fund. Green Lease Leader portfolios which do not include the participant’s entire U.S. portfolio will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What if I’m not able to get every green leasing clause into every lease I sign?
That’s OK. It is understood that some green lease requests may be denied or changed during the lease negotiation process. However, starting lease negotiations with these requests ensures that both parties will at least discuss the intent of green leasing clauses. Many Green Lease Leaders have found that energy and water-related clauses and requests are easily negotiated into the final lease.
How can I submit a lease and maintain privacy for my tenant or landlord?
When applying as a landlord, you're able to redact all tenant information, including the tenant's name and signature. Similarly, when applying as a tenant, while you must keep your own name on the lease, you can redact all landlord information. In general, as long as it is clear that your organization has signed a lease, and the green lease language is not redacted, your application should be accepted.
For Gold-level recognition, must my organization meet all prerequisites and credits in a single executed lease?
Yes. While it is not required that every executed lease to contain each prerequisite and credit pursued, at least one lease provided for documentation purposes must show that all elements were executed.
For Silver-level recognition, do I need to provide an executed lease?
No, an executed lease is required for Gold level recognition.
If I am unable to put our sustainability contact information into the lease, would a welcome letter be sufficient?
Yes, as long as it is made clear to the tenant who they should contact regarding sustainability issues.
What can I do to show compliance with a credit, if it is not formally enforced as a corporate guideline?
Some type of documentation is needed; we are flexible on the form it takes. For example, a spreadsheet tracking water use would meet that requirement. Contact IMT regarding a specific credit at imtweb@imt.org.
Can I qualify for the submetering credit if no size threshold is specified in the green lease?
You will need to provide some documentation showing that these spaces are submetered, and confirming that the data is shared for non-metered spaces.
Is the Transaction Management Team on the landlord or tenants side?
Tenant. They determine where the tenant will open an office or store and execute leases with landlords. Brokers are engaged by landlords to find tenants to lease out their spaces