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Sustainability Buying Guide

Introduction

Since Sir Nicholas Stern’s climate change report started ringing alarm bells, many of us have been taking a closer look at the sustainability of our lives. Unfortunately, one of the most damaging activities can be second home buying.

This guide offers detailed advice about the steps you can take to ensure that your overseas property is environmentally and socially sustainable. And why sustainability is important for the long-term value of your home and hence your wallet.

In the UK you don’t have to worry about buying property responsibly. Why is it different overseas?

The UK has tight regulations governing the environmental and social sustainability of its property market. In certain overseas destinations, developers take advantage of lax legislation and building controls. But even in the UK you must make decisions that effect the environment. Read on to find out.

With all due respect, why should I care?

It is sensible to be responsible. After the builder has upped and left, you might find yourself in possession of a property with problems. There are many aspects to a responsible purchase and they often involve taking a long-term view – structural, ethical, social and environmental. Here are four simple rules:

1. Get proper planning permission and do not purchase until your lawyer assures you that all the paperwork is in place. Overdevelopment can destroy an area and ultimately your investment. Tens of thousands of homes, most famously in Spain, have been built illegally in locations where sufficient infrastructure does not exist. This places unfair demand on local water supplies and sewerage plants, putting wildlife and local inhabitants in danger of pollution and drought. In some places like the Costa del Sol, planning permission has been granted under corrupt pretences – this is beyond your control but you should satisfy yourself that the development has been approved by an official acting in the best interests of the community. The incumbent town hall may have approved its construction but will future administrations continue to support your snazzy resort hogging the view and sapping the local water supply?

2. Enquire as to the green credentials of your development. And be wary of property developments that purport to be environmentally friendly when they have only made some token efforts. It will become obvious once you conduct your research. Arcos Gardens (www.arcosgardens.com), for example, a golf resort on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, has the backing of a construction firm from the US renowned for its environmentalism – furthermore, the Costa de la Luz is one area of Spain in which the regional government has tight control over new development. Another example is Alma Verde (www.almaverde.com), which employed the independent consultants Faber Maunsell to monitor its ‘coolhouse’ system, which uses a series of subterranean pipes.

3. Know what to look for. Environmental sustainability might include: a tree-replanting programme; low-density housing; water recycling; sewage treatment; irrigation systems; geothermal technology taking heat from the ground; solar photovoltaic (PV) panels; solar thermal collectors; wind turbines; combined heat and power units (CHP); rainwater harvesting; links to public transport; use of local building materials; preservation of natural habitats, wildlife, architecture, culture and heritage; employment of local workers.

4. Comply with local taxes and declare the full price of the property. Generally speaking the taxes are going to help improve the local infrastructure and benefit the country. During the buying process, some agents and developers will encourage you to pay in part with cash and under-declare the value of your home. They may tell you it is the ‘done thing’. But globally, the tax authorities are catching up with people and if the next buyer refuses to also under-declare, then your capital gains bill will be huge.

Can you point me in the direction of some environmentally sound developments?

Backed by the WWF, One Planet Living aims to “bring sustainable living into the mainstream” with a number of global developments such as its flagship Mata de Sesimbra in Portugal (www.oneplanetliving.org). Across the Atlantic, Tridel builds award-winning sustainable condo apartments in Canada (www.tridel.com). In St Lucia, Marigot Bay (www.marigotbay.com) has been complimented for its eco-efforts by government inspectors. South Africa boasts Pezula Estate (www.pezula.com), which is a leading eco-resort. One of the most idyllic is Tui Creek, left, (www.premierresorts.co.uk) in New Zealand, where you own part of an operational farm. There are many more new developments than are mentioned here – and remember, buying an old house is often more efficient.

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: A lot of what has been said relates to buying a property that has already been built. What if I want to build my own home? Or perhaps perform a renovation?
Page 3: Does the location I choose make a difference?
Page 4: Maybe the best way I can help the environment is to not buy a second home at all?

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