In today's commercial property market place, the impact of the environment can significantly alter or change the marketing strategy relating to the sale or lease of the property.
The real estate agent needs to see these environmental issues and deal with them with the property owner before the marketing of the property actually commences.
For this purpose, the following checklist will be of some assistance when inspecting the commercial property and looking at environmental concerns:

1. Look for storage tanks both above ground and below ground.
   They will potentially have some licensing or registration requirements with the local health authorities.
   Ask questions about the content and usage of those tanks.
   
2. Look for redundant or disused plant and equipment that remains on the property.
   It is better to remove redundant equipment and clutter around a property prior to sale.
   
3. Ask about the history of the property and what has been produced on and from the premises in the past.
   If there is any suggestion of a toxic or environmental threat, seek more detail.
   
4. Notice any areas of discoloured or disturbed soil that could indicate previous pollution or spillage.
   In such case it may be necessary to get a soil test.
   
5. The existence of any storage tanks and vessels on the property should be questioned as to containment and content.
   
6. Storm water systems from the property should be functional and effective, thereby connecting to the community storm water grid.
   Pooling water is a giveaway issue to question.
   
7. Sewerage systems on the property should be functional and correctly connected to the community sewerage system.
   
8. Any existing dumps or discarded material on the property should be questioned and if the property is moving to sale or lease these items should be removed prior to marketing.
   
9. Any areas of landfill should be examined.
   Understand the contents and source of the landfill in case it contains environmental risk.
   It may also be that the landfill is unstable.
   A soil test or report can be obtained to qualify the problem.
   
10. Any pooling water, run off, or flow through across the property from Rivers and Creeks should be understood for environmental impact.
    

If the property presents any concerns environmentally it is wise to get an independent engineers report prior to taking the property to the market.
Astute buyers will ask questions and you should therefore be prepared.