CAM charges are Pass Throughs from the Landlord that are paid by tenants to cover the cost of operating and maintaining common features of a commercial property. These charges are typically broken down into two categories:
1. Controllable CAM Expenses
These are costs the landlord can influence or manage:
- Janitorial services (lobbies, restrooms)
- Landscaping and irrigation
- Parking lot maintenance
- Lighting for common areas
- Window washing
- Sidewalk and stairwell maintenance
- Administrative and management fees
- Salaries for property management staff
2. Uncontrollable CAM Expenses
The following costs aren’t typically seen as outside the landlord’s control.
- Property taxes
- Insurance premiums
- Snow removal
- Stormwater management
- Utility infrastructure (e.g., water, sewage, electricity for shared areas)