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Incorporate best practices into the green lease Owners and landlords must include a tailored combination of best practices in the green lease to go beyond minimum LEED prerequisites. A few of the best practices include:

• Require tenants to pay for their energy and water usage.

• Implement cost recovery clauses for energy efficiency upgrades that benefit tenants.

• Disclose tracked energy and water usage metrics (e.g., ENERGY STAR® scores, peak demand).

• Ensure brokers or leasing agents receive energy training.

• Require tenant energy efficiency fit-outs that exceed LEED EA prerequisites.

• Include water and indoor air quality best practices (e.g., sub-metering, low-emitting materials).

• Establish tenant training and engagement programs for sustainable practices.

• Limit on-site combustion emissions and implement renewable energy strategies.

• Demonstrate innovation in leasing.

Points are awarded based on the number of best practices incorporated (1–6 points). Incorporating additional practices improves resource management and creates healthier, more sustainable tenant spaces.

Option 2. Executed Standard Green Lease

Teams may earn one point for projects that provide documentation of an executed tenant green lease or a letter of attestation meeting the criteria outlined in Option 1. Both parties must provide a copy of the green lease agreement signed by them. If the tenant has not yet finalized the green lease, they must submit a signed and dated letter as an alternative. The letter must confirm the tenant’s commitment to meeting the specific sustainability criteria outlined in the green lease, including compliance with LEED prerequisites and best practices as detailed in Option 1. Key components of the letter of attestation may include tenant information, landlord and tenant acknowledgment, commitment to sustainability requirements, specific best practices, commitment to documentation and reporting procedures, and the tenant’s signature and date.

Executing a tenant green lease demonstrates a commitment to foster collaboration between landlords and tenants. This collaboration can lead to improved energy efficiency, reduced operating costs, and a more sustainable environment. The documentation serves as a tangible acknowledgment of the efforts made toward sustainability, enhancing the credibility of both the landlord and the tenant. It can also positively impact corporate reputations and align with broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Providing this documentation is a

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 47