To run a sustainable commercial property, cut your energy use, sort your waste properly, fix water leaks fast, and agree on upgrades with your landlord. These habits can help reduce resources and your running costs.

If you are searching for high street commercial property for rent, apply this thinking before you sign a lease. Romford is a busy, established town centre in the London Borough of Havering, and the unit you choose will shape your running costs for years. This guide explains what to check, what to change and who to talk to.

Why Sustainability Matters on Romford’s High Street

Romford has traded for centuries. The market still draws shoppers several days a week. The Liberty and Romford Shopping Hall keep the town centre busy, and the Elizabeth line brings commuters and visitors from across London. That footfall rewards businesses that look after their premises.

Havering Council has set out plans for greener, better-connected town centres, and customers notice when a business takes the same approach. A tidy, well-run shop with sensible bills beats a wasteful one on the basis of both reputation and profit.

But a full refurbishment isn’t always the answer. Most gains come from daily habits and a few smart decisions at the start of your tenancy.

Check the Building Before You Sign

A suitable, energy-efficient unit can help control running costs from the start. During a viewing, test the basics yourself:

  • Look at the lighting in the first place. Count how many old fluorescent or halogen fittings you would need to replace.
  • Feel for draughts around shopfronts, doors and rear exits.
  • Ask about insulation, especially in roof spaces and upper floors.
  • Test the heating and ventilation. Ask when the landlord last serviced them.
  • Check the condition of the roof, gutters and drainage.

Ask the landlord or agent for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, most privately rented commercial properties covered by the regulations must achieve an EPC rating of E or above, unless a valid exemption applies. Check the property’s rating and any relevant exemption before agreeing to a lease. An EPC can help you assess energy efficiency, but it should not replace an inspection of the building or a review of its likely running costs.

Compare the rent against the full picture. A cheaper unit with a poor boiler, single glazing and failing lighting can cost more over a three-year lease than a slightly dearer unit in better shape.

Cut Your Energy Use

Lighting, heating and refrigeration drive most small-business energy bills. Tackle them in this order:

  • Swap to LEDs: They use far less power than older bulbs and last longer, so you replace them less often.
  • Use daylight: Make the most of natural daylight by keeping suitable windows and display areas clear, where practical.
  • Set heating to your trading hours: Programme your thermostat to start shortly before you open and switch off when you close.
  • Seal draughts: Draught-proofing strips and repairs to damaged shutters may help reduce heat loss and improve comfort.
  • Switch off at close: Add non-essential equipment, screens, chargers and display lighting to your shutdown checklist. Only switch off refrigeration where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

It is important to keep the ventilation working. Closing every gap makes the air stale, so balance draught-proofing with proper airflow.

Read your bills each month. Compare like with like, such as this January against last January, so you become able to spot spikes quickly.

Manage Waste Properly

Your waste depends on your trade in terms of high street commercial property for rent in Romford. Retailers handle cardboard and plastic wrap, cafés and takeaways handle food waste and used oil, and offices handle paper and old electronics. Follow these steps:

  • Order in bulk and ask suppliers to reduce packaging.
  • Separate recycling exactly as your waste contractor tells you. Contaminated bins can lead to higher charges or missed collections.
  • Track stock and expiry dates so you throw away less.
  • Reuse boxes, crates and display materials.
  • Review your collection schedule. If your unit has limited bin space, discuss collection frequency and suitable waste-storage options with your contractor.

Brief your staff once, then repeat it at induction. Clear labels on bins work better than long rules.

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Stop Water Waste

A dripping tap or a running cistern costs money every hour. Inspect taps, toilets and visible pipework weekly, and report faults the same day.

Fit water-saving devices such as flow restrictors and dual-flush cisterns. Watch your meter. If your reading jumps without a change in trade, you probably have a leak.

Before you call a plumber, read your lease. It tells you whether you or the landlord pays for repairs to pipes, shared supplies and the building structure.

Think About How People Reach You

Your location shapes your customers’ habits. Romford station links the town to Liverpool Street and Shenfield on the Elizabeth line, and National Rail services and local buses feed the town centre from Harold Hill, Collier Row, Gidea Park and beyond.

Use that to your advantage:

  • Check journey times from where your staff live, not just how close the station looks on a map.
  • Look at pavement width, step-free access and nearby loading bays for deliveries.
  • Ask whether you can store cycles, because more staff and customers now cycle in.

Remember that Havering sits inside the ULEZ. Non-compliant vehicles may incur a daily ULEZ charge unless an exemption applies. Check your vehicles using Transport for London’s official ULEZ checker.

Customers who walk, cycle or take the train produce less congestion outside your door. Many also prefer to spend locally.

Work With Your Landlord

You control your daily habits. Your landlord controls the building. Use that split to your advantage.

Read the lease and note who handles repairs, shared areas, and improvements. Then pitch practical changes: better lighting, smarter heating controls, draught repairs, and extra recycling space. Landlords often agree when you show a clear saving or a longer, more stable tenancy.

Agree on costs, permissions, and timing in writing before work starts. Keep your meter readings and maintenance records so you can show what each change achieved.

Build a Simple Sustainability Plan

Write a one-page plan. Four steps cover it:

  • Measure: Collect your last 12 months of energy, water, and waste bills.
  • Choose three priorities: Pick the quickest wins, such as LEDs, a heating schedule, and better recycling.
  • Assign jobs: Give each task to a named person and add it to opening and closing routines.
  • Review every quarter: Compare your figures, allow for seasonal changes, and adjust.

Leave bigger investments, such as solar panels or new heating systems, until you know your building and your budget. Ask your landlord first, because roof and plant work needs their consent.

A sustainable unit starts with the right choice of premises. Inspect the building, read the EPC, understand your lease and set simple targets. If you want high street commercial property for rent in Romford, define your space needs, budget and priorities first, then view units with this checklist in hand.

Find Your Next Commercial Unit With Alex Martin

Alex Martin handles sales and lettings of commercial property across Greater London, including shops, offices and mixed-use units for a wide range of businesses. Our team can talk you through available premises in Romford and help you compare running costs, lease terms and location.

Contact Alex Martin on +44 (0) 207 100 2348 or email office@alexmartin.co.uk.

FAQs

How do I make a commercial property more sustainable? 

Start with LED lighting, heating controls, water-saving fittings and better waste separation. Then match further changes to your building and your trade.

Can tenants improve energy efficiency in rented premises? 

Yes. You can change daily habits and small fittings straight away. Structural or plant changes usually need your landlord’s written permission, so check your lease first.

Should I check the EPC before renting a unit? 

Yes. The EPC shows the building’s energy rating and suggests improvements. Read it alongside your own inspection and the likely running costs.

Does a sustainable unit cost more to rent? 

Not always. Location, size and lease terms set the rent. Compare the rent with energy bills, repair duties and the cost of any upgrades you would fund.

Do I need to worry about ULEZ if I run a business in Romford? 

If you drive a van or company vehicle within the ULEZ and it does not meet the emissions standards, you may need to pay the daily charge unless an exemption or discount applies. Check your vehicles on the Transport for London checker before you commit to a lease.

Can a small Romford business really make a difference? 

Yes. Small firms cut waste, track energy and buy smarter without major building work. Your results depend on your current habits and the steps you take.