HOW-TO MANUAL
Contents
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Sections
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- Policy 1: Application Fees
- Policy 2: Application Fee Refund
- Policy 3: Eligibility Criteria
- Policy 4: Online Application Period
- Policy 5: On-Site Verification: Missing Documentation
- Policy 6: On-Site Verification: Additional Verification Costs
- Policy 7: Verification Methodology for Buildings
- Policy 8: Failed Certifications
- Policy 9: Appeals Process
- Policy 10: Payment Period and Late Payments
- Policy 11: Purchase Orders
- Policy 12: Certification Credentials
- Policy 13: Recertification
- Policy 14: Mandatory Quality Assessment of Platinum Level Verifications
- Policy 15: Building Management Change
- Policy 16: Portfolio stream buildings opting for a 4-year certification cycle
- BOMA BEST Policy 17: BOMA BEST non-endorsement
- Policy 18: Respect, Safety and Reasonable Conduct
- Policy 19: Expired or Terminated Certifications
- Show Remaining Articles (4) Collapse Articles
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- How long do I have to complete my verification if I’ve registered my building under BOMA BEST Sustainable 3.0?
- How long will I have access to my BOMA BEST 3.0 online portal account?
- I am registered through the portfolio stream, when am I required to submit my building for the 2023 annual verification sample?
- Are there any changes to BOMA BEST certification eligibility criteria?
- Have the BEST Practices changed?
- Is there a new platform?
- What are the basic differences between BOMA BEST Sustainable 3.0 and 4.0?
- Will my BOMA BEST 3.0 documents be available in the new BOMA BEST Hub?
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- How long is the certification period for buildings registered in the Single Stream?
- Can I view the BOMA BEST Questionnaires before registering a building in the Hub?
- How long do I have to complete the questionnaire after registering my building?
- What is the purpose of the Baseline Practice questions?
- Is there overlap between BOMA BEST Sustainable and BOMA BEST Smart?
- What happens when I create a test building in the Hub?
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- What credit can I apply for in GRESB with my BOMA BEST certification?
- How many GRESB points can I earn using the BOMA BEST Sustainable certification?
- How many GRESB points can I earn using the BOMA BEST Smart certification?
- What certification date should be used for my GRESB submission?
- Can I move to a 4-year certification cycle so I can achieve the maximum amount of points from GRESB?
- What are the fees for the 4-year certification cycle?
- How can I request a 4-year BOMA BEST certification cycle for my Portfolio?
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- What is the intention behind the release of BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.1?
- Will BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.1 be more intensive than 4.0?
- When can I expect the new field guides?
- How will I know what has changed?
- Are there any changes to the BOMA BEST Baseline Practices?
- What are the new questions included in BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.1?
- When will BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.1 launch and 4.0 close?
- What will happen if I’m not ready to submit for verification by October 11?
- Can I opt to pursue BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.1 instead of 4.0 if I am due for a recertification this year?
- If I begin work in the BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.0 questionnaire, will it automatically transfer to 4.1 if I have not submitted for verification by the time the program transitions?
- What happens to my BOMA BEST Sustainable 4.0 questionnaire that is already in the verification process?
- I am a part of the portfolio stream, what happens if I submit for verification in January 2025, when will my certification be valid for?
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- Coming soon
How-To Manual
Section
BOMA BEST Policies
TITLE
Reporting Changes
Applicants must notify BOMA of any acquisitions or dispositions of BOMA BEST certified buildings.
Certification history, including previously achieved certification years, verification reports and scoring summaries, will be kept with the building application for historical purposes.
Certification Validity During Ownership or Management Changes
When a BOMA BEST certified building is removed or sold, the Applicant:
- shall notify BOMA of any registered properties sold from their management. Sold buildings will be inactivated by BOMA upon notification.
- shall notify BOMA of any new acquisition of a BOMA BEST certified building in the event that they wish to pursue certification.
Upon receipt of notification, BOMA will take the necessary steps to update the BOMA BEST Hub to reflect the change in management.
Past questionnaire responses and supporting documentation can be made available for the new building manager’s review to gain insight into the building’s past performance upon request and proper approval.
Certification Status
- Single Stream: The building will maintain its most recent certification until the expiry date stated in the certification record. It will continue to appear certified under the new management name until it expires.
- Portfolio Stream: The building will maintain its certification until the end of the calendar year in which it is sold. If the new management company chooses to continue with the Portfolio Stream, the building must request verification within one calendar year of it being acquired in order to retain its certification level. If it is not verified, the certification level will be changed to Baseline.
In the event that a certified building is sold and the succeeding management entity does not continue the certification with BOMA BEST, the existing certification shall expire at the conclusion of the calendar year in which the sale occurred.
Acquiring documentation from a previously certified building
To ensure privacy and maintain confidentiality of previous certification records and proprietary documentation in the BOMA BEST Hub, two options are available to the new Applicant after notifying BOMA of the change in management:
- The new Applicant can register the acquired building in the BOMA BEST Hub under their company name. BOMA will then migrate records, such as previously achieved certification records, verification reports and scoring summaries (when applicable). BOMA will not provide access to previous Questionnaire data.
- If the new Applicant wishes to access the Questionnaire data completed by the previous management company, consent from the previous management company is required. A Questionnaire Transfer Request must be submitted to BOMA. Please contact info@bomabest.org for access to the form. Once received, BOMA will provide access to the previous Questionnaire data to the new Applicant in accordance with the permission levels outlined in the form and consented to by the previous management company.
Switching Streams
To facilitate a transition in ownership or property management while maintaining an active BOMA BEST certification, users may opt to switch their property’s certification from the Portfolio Stream to the Single Stream. To do this, applicants must:
- Submit a written request to info@bomabest.org to initiate the change.
- Pay a one-time fee, calculated based on the Single Stream rate prorated by the remaining years on the certificate.
- Upon completion of this transition, the property will maintain its BOMA BEST certification until it expires.