LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) is the much anticipated green benchmark for the tenant improvement market. LEED-CI gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers who do not always have control over whole building operations.  At the same time, LEED-CI is the recognized standard for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and reduce environmental footprint.

A LEED-CI space addresses the selection of sustainable tenant space; efficiency of water usage; energy performance optimization including lighting and lighting controls; resource utilization for interior building systems and furnishings, and; indoor environmental quality including comprehensive emissions criteria. But, there are some decisions that will be governed by the type of lease agreement that is put in place between the Landlord and the Tenant. So, before you sign the lease, review the checklist below in order to see what credits will require coordination between the Landlord and Tenant.

Is this a LEED Certified Building?

Credit(s) affected?

SScr1 – Site Selection

By signing a lease in a building that is already LEED certified, you are automatically eligible for 3 points.

Is there parking allocated as part of your lease?

Credit(s) affected?

SScr3.3  - Alternative Transportation, Parking availability

As part of the lease, there need to be either no spaces allocated to the tenant, or the spaces need to meet minimum parking requirements in addition to having dedicated spaces for van and carpooling. This includes having dedicated visitor spaces per tenant.

Does the lease provide independent restrooms or community restrooms also utilized by other tenants?

Credit(s) affected?

SScr3.2 – Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms

Shower facilities need to be included. This may be problematic for spaces utilizing community restrooms (i.e. per floor), where the landlord does not wish to provide or upgrade for showers. This can also be a security concern for the landlord.

Tenants who have private restroom facilities will have more control for this credit.

WEcr1 – Water Use Reduction

If community restrooms are provided by the landlord, upgrading of plumbing fixtures may be required to attain this credit. This item should be negotiated as part of the Tenant Improvement package. 

Are custodial services provided as part of your lease?

Credit(s) affected?

MRprereq1 – Storage and Collection of recyclables

If the landlord is providing custodial services as part of the lease, then measures may have to be implemented in order to accommodate proper disposal of waste that is pre-separated by the tenant.

WEcr1 – Water Use Reduction

The landlord needs to be made aware if there will be non-standard plumbing fixtures employed within the tenant space. Some fixtures, such as waterless urinals, require different maintenance and cleaning procedures.

Are lighting fixtures being provided by tenant or by Owner?

Credit(s) affected?

• EAprereq2 – Minimum Energy Performance

• EAcr1.1 – Optimize Energy Performance – Lighting Power

• EAcr1.2 – Optimize Energy Performance – Lighting Controls

• EQcr6.1 – Controllability of Systems - Lighting

Some Landlord’s will provides maintenance as part of the lease package. If so, lighting fixtures and lighting controls are probably standardized throughout the building. The Landlord may not wish to deviate from standardized products.

Make sure this item is discussed with the landlord early. Some landlord’s may be willing to reduce the lease cost per square foot if you can show that, as a tenant, you will be consuming less electricity.

Do you pay electricity per actual usage or per square foot?

Credit(s) affected?

EAcr3 – Energy Use, Measurement & Payment Accountability

If you are not paying electricity direct, there may be some cost by sub-metering the lease space. This can be done through a variety of methods, but may be difficult if your lease space is utilizing shared electrical distribution panels.

EAcr4 – Green Power

If, as part of your lease you are paying for electricity direct, you can select a green-e certified power marketer in order to be eligible for this credit.

Is your lease space served by independent air conditioning/heating systems or by a central plant?

Credit(s) affected?

• EAprereq1 – Fundamental Commissioning

• EAcr2 – Enhanced Commissioning

Depending on the age of the central plant, it may be difficult to obtain the measurements necessary in order to commission the HVAC systems. Early investigation of the systems is suggested in order to determine the scope of commissioning required.

• EAprereq2 – Minimum Energy Performance

• EAprereq3 – CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment

• EAcr1.3 – Optimize Energy Performance – HVAC

Systems within the space need to meet minimum energy codes, especially if altered. Careful review of ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and how it affects the tenant space, including upgrades, is recommended.

• EQprereq1 – Minimum IAQ Performance

• EQcr1 – Outside Air Delivery Monitoring

• EQcr2 – Increased Ventilation

• EQcr6.2 – Controllability of Systems – Temperature and Ventilation

• EQcr7 – Thermal Comfort

The method in which the air conditioning systems are controlled will determine these credits. Tenants may not normally have this level of control as part of the lease package. Discussions with the landlord up front are suggested, to determine how this will integrate with the overall building systems.

Are there finish materials included as part of the Tenant Improvement lease package?

Credit(s) affected?

• MRcr3 – Resource Reuse

• MRcr4 – Recycled Content

• MRcr5 – Regional Materials

• MRcr6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials

• MRcr7 – Certified Wood

• EQcr4 – Low-Emitting Materials

There are many finish materials that will require documentation. If the landlord is providing materials as part of the lease, make sure that the landlord is aware of the back-up documentation that may be required if these credits are to be attained.