Tenant representation in Utah will help you with some issues about paying fees on common area maintenance (CAM), which can vary among landlords.
Property owners usually calculate these ancillary expenses through a variable formula or a flat rate. Lessees often could pay this every month, quarter or year. In some cases, a landlord may charge an additional fee when it plans to repair or improve the entire property.
What Are CAM Fees?
You need to consult an agent to be familiar with the nature of CAM fees before understanding how landlords charge these extra costs. First-time commercial tenants often think that they only need to pay the occupied space in a property, but this doesn’t apply especially to retail and industrial lease deals. You should expect to pay CAM fees on a pro-rated scheme. Remember that a larger occupancy requires you to pay a bigger rate.
When your landlord calculates these fees on a variable basis, ask about the different factors that influence the actual amount. On the other hand, a fixed rate will be more favorable when you don’t want to pay unexpected costs. If you’re renting an office, CAM fees could be otherwise known as load factor expenses.
Why Are There CAM Fees?
Lessors charge CAM fees to reduce their expenses for maintaining necessary facilities. That doesn’t mean that your landlord rips off its tenants by charging additional costs. These fees ensure that amenities such as elevators, parking lots, and restrooms remain clean and functional. In some cases, these expenses could refer to administrative cost that will include salaries for building personnel and utility expenses.
Your contract should clearly state the hidden fees for common areas, the frequency of payments, and the number of times that it could be increased within a year for variable rates. While variable rates tend to change, there should be a limit to the payable amount. Your landlord should impose a maximum cap on higher fees, and it should be different from how your rent increases every year.
Should You Choose a Coworking Space Instead?
Shared offices have become more popular because of increasing rental rates. The idea of paying miscellaneous expenses aside from monthly rent also led more companies to consider flexible workspaces. But consider the benefits of having tenant representation in Utah, mainly if your business is in a rural place.
The state wants to fund the development of more coworking spaces for cities and towns along the I-15 corridor. There are already existing shared workspaces in Salt Lake City, although you may still need to pay CAM fees despite a cheaper rental rate. Consult a brokerage firm on when it’s unreasonable for a landlord to include specific fees on a lease agreement.
Commercial landlords charge different CAM fees because not all buildings have the same common areas. If you agree to a variable rate, be sure to have the right tenant representation to avoid paying unnecessary expenses. Avoid a triple net lease as much as possible because this is the least favorable to tenants.
