Occupiers want their landlords to engage more fully with them over sustainability issues according to a new survey.

Almost 90 per cent of those questioned were dissatisfied with their landlord’s interation over the issue - despite it being high on their business agenda, the GVA survey found.

Birmingham already leads the way in delivering sustainable office buildings with 80 per cent of the city’s newest commercial office building rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ including Calthorpe House in Edgbaston and One Snowhill, both of which are fully let. This compares to only 40 per cent of new buildings that are BREEAM ‘Excellent’ in Manchester and just 33 per cent in Liverpool and Bristol.

Carl Potter, director, head of national offices and spokesperson on sustainability at GVA Grimley, said: “There could be many reasons for greater occupier concern with regard to sustainability, from higher fuel costs to corporate social responsibility, greater media focus on sustainability, and tighter regulation.

“It is therefore vitally important that the historic landlord and tenant relationship issues are resolved if the sustainable credentials of such new buildings are to be achieved in a way that actually benefits, not just both parties in keeping running costs minimised, but also the wider rationale of sustainability.

“What’s clear is that occupiers feel that landlords could be doing more. The good news for landlords is that there are easy ways for them to change existing perceptions and be seen to be doing more.”

He added: “Ultimately, it’s encouraging to see that Birmingham is ahead of other cities in delivering sustainable office buildings. It can only be good news for the city with organisations increasingly wanting to be located in buildings that have been designed and constructed in a sustainable manner.”