Embedded networks allow developers and building owners to take advantage of the traditional infrastructure at a site to provide utilities (typically electricity or gas) to its occupants and tenants. An embedded network can allow building owners to benefit from an ongoing income stream that is generated from the supply of the utilities within a development and deliver other efficiencies and advantages to end users.

The existence of embedded networks in property developments also present an opportunity for developers and building owners to engage in positive sustainability initiatives and promote green innovation, with more sustainable forms of energy to supply energy to homes and buildings and to support the increased use of electric vehicles.

Despite its benefits, the supply of electricity and other utilities through embedded networks has been argued as being under-regulated and can lead to anti-competitive practices and consumer protection issues for end users who may not be able to easily access the most competitive deal in the market for their utilities.

As part of the continued expansion of Practical Law Commercial Real Estate's existing Developments topic, the following new resources have recently been published:

• Practice note, Embedded networks. This note assists users to navigate through the legal, practical, regulatory and consumer protection issues affecting embedded networks in a property development context. It provides an overview of how an embedded network is typically established from a contractual and property law perspective, key consumer protection issues and the interactions between embedded networks and sustainability infrastructure and initiatives.
• Standard clause, By-law: strata building retrofit for electric vehicle charging infrastructure (NSW). This is an example by-law for an existing strata scheme in New South Wales for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the building.