Net Zero? It’s just box-ticking say many letting agents…

Over a quarter of lettings and estate agents say sustainability is just a box-ticking exercise and only one in nine have a net zero strategy to cut carbon emissions.

Those are the shock findings of a survey conducted by home set-up service Just Move In.

The survey is relatively small - based on just 150 agencies across lettings and sales - but it goes on to says that 58 per cent thought being eco-friendly could improve profitability, and two thirds say poor green credentials would harm the business.

The new report looks into agents’ performance in six key areas: energy use, waste, recycling, the office environment, transport, and initiatives. 

The best adopted sustainability practices by agents include using digital apps to share files, encouraging the use of e-brochures to reduce paper waste, using video calls to minimise travel, switching to energy efficient light bulbs, and using reusable cups and bottles.

The least used measures include using eco-friendly cleaning products, switching to a green energy supplier, choosing energy-efficient appliances, getting a smart electricity meter and using recycled paper.  

When it comes to transport, one in six agencies have electric company cars, and a fifth of firms have hybrids. 

A third said members of their team cycled to work and around three in ten said they used public transport when necessary.

A quarter of agents always consider eco-credentials when choosing a supplier - but an equal proportion never do so. 

The report is part of Just Move In’s Agents For Sustainability campaign, which has received support from Hamptons and Agents Together amongst other organisations. 

Ross Nichols, co-founder of the service, says: “Estate agents and letting agents are on the front line in the battle against climate change and have a great opportunity to influence customers to embrace sustainability.

“It’s also important for the industry to get its own house in order, and it’s shocking that only one in nine agencies have a net-zero strategy in place. 

“There are some easy wins for agencies, with less than half of firms switching to a green energy supplier and using a smart electricity meter. These changes make a big difference and are the first steps towards helping the industry embrace net zero.”