After the FL tube ban: Why acting now is crucial for preserving the value of your property

The FL tube ban - an underestimated risk factor

Imagine you are investing in a promising property, be it a residential complex, an office building or a mixed-use site. Everything seems perfect: location, yield prospects, substance. But on first inspection, it is striking: The lighting is still based on classic fluorescent tubes. What at first glance seems unimportant turns out on closer inspection to be a factor with a major impact on safety and efficiency.

Since September 2023, classic fluorescent tubes may no longer be sold in Switzerland and the EU. Stocks are largely empty and replacements are virtually unavailable. For owners, this means that failures can no longer be rectified simply by replacing a tube, and improvised solutions harbour safety and liability risks. Those who wait risk unplanned costs and the loss of legal certainty.

For property managers and investors, the focus is not on technical details, but on the economic impact. Outdated lighting causes higher electricity costs, which are directly reflected in the ancillary costs and reduce the attractiveness of the property. Tenants are also sensitive to rising operating costs, which has a long-term impact on rentability.

There is also the sustainability aspect: energy efficiency is now a key criterion for ESG ratings. These ratings are playing an increasingly important role in financing, portfolio management and for institutional investors. Lighting that is no longer state of the art has a negative impact on a property’s sustainability rating and therefore its market position.

Typical stumbling blocks and why they can be expensive

• Unplanned outages: Without suitable replacement tubes, expensive temporary solutions have to be organised at short notice.
• Improper conversions: Improvised installations are not only unsafe, they can also jeopardise insurance claims.
• Lack of planning: If you ignore the issue, you risk higher maintenance costs and unnecessary tenant losses.

What does this mean for your investment?
When buying or managing property, lighting is often only considered superficially. But it influences several parameters at once: Operating costs, safety, sustainability and legal compliance. If you check the condition at an early stage, you can avoid follow-up costs and integrate measures properly into your budget planning. This means that modernisations can be carried out without rushing, without affecting tenants or ongoing operations.

What does this mean for your investment?
When buying or managing property, lighting is often only considered superficially. But it influences several parameters at once: Operating costs, safety, sustainability and legal compliance. If you check the condition at an early stage, you can avoid follow-up costs and integrate measures properly into your budget planning. This means that modernisations can be implemented without rushing and without affecting tenants or ongoing operations.

Conclusion: Those who act in good time secure the value
The FL tube ban has changed the rules of the game. If you act now, you minimise risks, prevent unplanned downtime and protect the value of your property in the long term.

If you would like to know more about how to plan the right steps for your property, there is a compact guide available. It summarises the most important points for property professionals in an easy-to-understand way and gives you the confidence to make the right decisions.

Text & Bilder: LEDVANCE