Triple Net Lease (NNN) vs Gross Lease

If you are signing a commercial lease, the lease type matters as much as the rent. The best fit here is a commercial leasing broker who knows how landlords and tenants split costs and can translate the legal language into plain terms. That guidance protects cash flow from day one. Many business owners pick a space based on the monthly number, then feel shocked when extra bills show up. A common mistake is assuming “NNN” always means cheaper rent, or assuming a gross lease means the landlord covers everything forever.

In a triple net lease, the tenant pays base rent plus property taxes, building insurance, and common area maintenance, and people call that CAM. Depending on the property, CAM can include snow removal, parking lot repairs, landscaping, and management fees. A NNN lease can work well when the tenant wants more control and the property has predictable costs, but it can surprise a tenant when taxes rise or a roof repair hits. In a gross lease, the tenant typically pays one rent number and the landlord pays most operating costs. Some landlords use a modified gross lease, where the rent includes expenses up to a base year or an expense stop. Either way, the key is reading the details: what costs count as CAM, what costs are excluded, whether there is a cap on increases, and what the tenant can audit.

TDG Commercial RE helps Rochester owners and tenants choose the lease structure that matches their business and budget. As one of the best commercial real estate agents in Rochester for leasing, the team reviews the lease summary, asks the landlord the right questions, and pushes for clear terms in writing. TDG Commercial RE also uses local market knowledge to negotiate base rent, renewal options, tenant improvement allowances, and who pays for major systems like HVAC. Clients searching for commercial property for rent near me want fewer surprises and a smoother move-in, and TDG Commercial RE focuses on that outcome. With strong relationships across Rochester landlords and service partners, the team helps clients secure space that fits today and still works a few years from now.