Included Expense Reimbursement

While some leases are "Triple Net" (NNN), where the tenant pays all expenses directly, many commercial leases include these costs in the base rent or require a reimbursement for expenses that exceed a specific threshold. These reimbursements typically cover three main categories, often referred to as "TICAM":

• Taxes: Real estate and property taxes levied by local municipalities.
• Insurance: Premiums for property, casualty, and liability insurance coverage.
• Common Area Maintenance (CAM): Costs for cleaning, landscaping, snow removal, security, and repairs to shared spaces like lobbies and parking lots.

How It Functions in Commercial Lending

Lenders scrutinize Included Expense Reimbursements during the underwriting process to ensure the property generates enough cash flow to cover debt service. There are several ways these reimbursements are structured and evaluated:

The Base Year Concept: In many "Modified Gross" or "Full Service" leases, the landlord pays the operating expenses for the first year of the lease (the Base Year). In subsequent years, the tenant is responsible for reimbursing the landlord for any increases in expenses over that initial amount. Lenders track these escalations to project future income growth.

Expense Stops: An Expense Stop is a tool used by landlords to limit their exposure to rising costs. The landlord pays for expenses up to a certain dollar amount per square foot, and any costs incurred above that "stop" are reimbursed by the tenant. For a mortgage provider, a high number of leases with expense stops provides a layer of protection against inflation and rising utility costs.

Impact on Valuation: Because a commercial mortgage is largely based on the property’s value, and value is derived from income, Included Expense Reimbursements are vital. If a landlord fails to properly bill for these reimbursements, the Net Operating Income will appear lower than it should be, resulting in a lower appraised value and a potentially smaller loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.

Audit and Verification: During the due diligence phase of a commercial mortgage, the lender will perform an estoppel certificate review and an audit of the "reconciliation" statements. This ensures that the reimbursements recorded on the profit and loss statement (P&L) match the obligations outlined in the actual lease documents signed by the tenants.