Well Being
Well Being
The well-being of building users is affected by a wide range of factors, many of them included in other topic areas of this guidance. The prime focus of this section is the impact of pollution, access and crime and safety on well-being through their contribution towards living and working environments.
Buildings that have a comfortable and quiet living or working environment and are, for example, 'light and airy' will be far more attractive to potential occupiers than those with a stuffy environment that is subject to noise nuisance and relies heavily on artificial lighting. Such buildings can therefore fetch a higher premium and are likely to sold or let more quickly.
Value is added through the provision of services that are accessible to all
The economic value of providing services for all is increasingly being recognised. Major national retail stores have increasingly recognised the potential and additional revenue that accompanies buildings that are well thought out, offer real accessibility and sustainability. A government impact assessment identified that 75% of the population benefits from buildings which are built in a manner that takes on board the value of access auditing.
The profile and 'saleability' of a development is improved
Developments can have a marketable advantage on competitors when buildings are sold or let if they incorporate low energy consumption principles such as natural daylighting into their design.
Low running costs can be a selling point for buildings:
- Low running costs in owner occupied domestic properties can be used as a marketing tool when consumers assess their future monthly outgoings once they begin mortgage repayments. i.e. a larger mortgage can be taken out when balanced against lower monthly outgoings in other areas such as utility costs.
- Low running costs in business premises can have an effect on the ability to sell a property since reducing overheads is a much easier way of maintaining or improving net profit than increasing company productivity.
- Both of the above will have an effect on future letting of buildings and so landlords who may be potential purchasers of new developments will be increasingly aware of the market advantage they will have in letting low energy buildings.
See Business Case