At GreenRenter we recognize that not all buildings were created equal. That's why we developed our own scoring system for green buildings. The GreenRenter Score provides a snapshot of a building's sustainability using a scale of 1 to 5, the higher the number the greener the building.

This score takes into account a building's green features, its location and the breadth and innovativeness of the measures employed. A building's GreenRenter Score is intended to help potential renters quickly compare buildings and to give owners taking the extra step the recognition they deserve. Remember, each building is unique. The building with the highest score may not be the one that best meets a tenant's needs.

What does a building's score signify?

5 - Wow - this building is OTT (over the top)! It's one of the greenest buildings on GreenRenter and has likely won awards in its region. If it hasn't, it should.

4 - A score to be proud of! This building is comprehensive in its approach to sustainability.

3 - Yes! This one's way greener than a conventional building and a good effort by the owner and management team. They've implemented several green features and probably see great potential for more.

2 - Caution - greening in progress! This owner's taken the plunge so check back - there's probably more green upgrades on the way.

1 - Just getting started! This building's few green features got it listed but there's lots more to do.

The GreenRenter Score is NOT a third-party certification program like the USGBC's LEED Rating System.

Third-party certification programs like LEED provide independent verification that a building has implemented the green features claimed. The GreenRenter Score is based solely on the information provided to GreenRenter and is not verified by our staff.

There are benefits and drawbacks to this approach.
Third-party programs provide insurance to buyers and tenants that a building actually meets a specified green standard. The GreenRenter Score does not. However, third-party programs impose significant demands on building owners - they can be both costly and time consuming. With the GreenRenter Score there is no charge and the survey form takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

5 - Wow - this building is OTT (over the top)! It's one of the greenest buildings on GreenRenter and has likely won awards in its region. If it hasn't, it should.

4 - A score to be proud of! This building is comprehensive in its approach to sustainability.

3 - Yes! This one's way greener than a conventional building and a good effort by the owner and management team. They've implemented several green features and probably see great potential for more.

2 - Caution - greening in progress! This owner's taken the plunge so check back - there's probably more green upgrades on the way.

1 - Just getting started! This building's few green features got it listed but there's lots more to do.

Below is a partial list of national certification programs and a few links to lists of local programs.

Homes

LEED for Homes 

ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes

PATH (Partnership for Advanced Technology in Housing) maintains a comprehensive listing of local green home certification programs in 24 states. View their list here.

NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) certifies green homes and maintains a list of local green home certification programs in 31 states. View their list here.

Multi-family residential buildings

LEED for Neighborhood Development 

Commercial buildings

LEED for New Construction

Existing buildings

LEED for Existing Buildings

GreenRenter is very inclusive when it comes to "greenness." We want to showcase the efforts of all owners who are trying to improve the sustainability of their properties, regardless of whether they've sought out certification or awards.

As long as the building includes at least one feature in any of the seven "green" areas (energy, water, bulding materials, operations, building surroundings, certifications and awards, other innovative green features) it can be listed with GreenRenter.

GreenRenter is very inclusive when it comes to "greenness." We want to showcase the efforts of all owners who are trying to improve the sustainability of their properties, regardless of whether they've sought out certification or awards.

As long as the building includes at least one feature in any of these seven "green" areas (energy, water, building materials, operations, building surroundings, certifications and awards, other innovative green features) it can be listed with GreenRenter.

Well, eventually we won't. Property owners and managers will submit their buildings on their own, and as long as it includes at least one feature in any of these seven "green" areas (energy, water, building materials, operations, building surroundings, certifications and awards, other innovative green features) it can be listed with GreenRenter.

For now, however, the GreenRenter editors have been identifying green buildings in the Portland area and gathering the information from online sources and interviews with the property managers. How did we find the properties you see here? The U.S. Green Building Council's list of LEED certified and registered properties, the U.S. EPA's list of Energy Star rated properties, and web searches for terms like "green building" and "sustainable architecture."

Is there a great green building we're missing? Let us know!

We believe that "greenness" or sustainability is a whole-building affair. We've identified seven areas in which properties can have green features. As long as a building includes at least one feature in any of these areas it can be listed with GreenRenter.

The areas are:

1. Energy
2. Water
3. Building materials
4. Operations
5. Building surroundings (landscaping and services)
6. Certifications and awards
7. Other innovative green features

No, but we're working on a site just for green property sales. Want more info? Contact us!

Less than 15 minutes. You can do it yourself, by filling out an online survey, or over the phone with one of our representatives.

GreenRenter doesn't replace your existing online listings - it enhances them. Renters looking for properties that are environmentally responsible are a fast-growing group - GreenRenter brings them to you. There's no need to re-enter all the details about your available space, just provide links to your active listings.

Just because you manage or own older buildings doesn't mean your property isn't green; Environmental responsibility has many aspects.

Have you upgraded insulation or windows? Replaced incandescent bulbs with CFLs? Installed new appliances or light fixtures? Put in a drip irrigation system or bike racks?

All these make your property more environmentally responsible and appealing to a growing group of potential tenants - today's green renters. GreenRenter helps you get the most out of the upgrades you've already made.

GreenRenter aims to show the total inventory of green rental property, not just active listings. This will help grow the market for green buildings. And, since you only enter the details about your property once, it makes sense to do it now so potential tenants can see information on all your buildings. 

GreenRenter is a free service that helps you differentiate your property from the masses and bring it to the attention of potential tenants looking to rent green. As a member of GreenRenter, you're in good company - potential tenants will identify you as a leader in the sustainable building industry.

GreenRenter respects your privacy. We will not sell or trade your personal information.

We believe that "greenness" or sustainability is a whole-building affair and one that is as unique as each individual building. Unlike LEED and Energy Star, we don't rank buildings. These rankings serve a good purpose by allowing users to compare buildings to one another. However, we want to view each building on its own terms. We do allow you to make comments about a building - so if there are particular green features you want to call out, please do so!

We developed the survey of green features based on our knowledge of leading green building standards, including LEED and Energy Star. In doing so we aimed for a middle ground - enough detail to give potential tenants a clear understanding of what the property offers but not so much detail that both owner and renter become overwhelmed. The section "Other Innovative Green Features" gives owners the opportunity to describe green features not included in our form. Have a green feature you think should be added to the survey? Let us know!

GreenRenter™ is the only online directory of "green" or environmentally conscious commercial and residential rental property. GreenRenter™ helps potential tenants find properties that meet their environmental requirements. Entering your property is fast and free, just tell us a little about the building and its green features.