Triple Net Lease: What's Included and How it Works
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Quick Facts — Triple Net Lease Lawyers
- Avg cost to draft a Triple Net Lease: $580.00
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- Clients helped: 16 recent triple net lease projects
Triple net leases are a unique arrangement for commercial property owners and tenants. In this case, tenants contribute to maintenance costs and negotiate rent separately from the operation costs. This can lead to lower rent costs and the ability to personalize their spaces. In short, it is a win-win for both parties in specific situations.
In the post below, we discuss what you should know about triple net leases:
What is a Triple Net Lease?
Triple net leases, also called NNN leases, are legal contracts between a lessor and a lessee. In the agreement, the lessee tenant pays rent and a pro-rata share of operating costs, including taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance (CAM). A NNN lease is most commonly used for commercial real estate transactions, but can also be used for residential properties, such as single-family homes or apartment buildings.
What’s Included in a Triple Net Lease?
The various clauses in a triple net lease are complicated. It is essential that you understand what you are signing or offering. This strategy can make the difference between a space and agreement that meets your specific needs and one that quickly becomes restrictive.
The following contractual provisions are typically included in a triple net lease:
Property Use
A use clause specifies how a tenant may use the leased space. It is critical to ensure that the terms are consistent with the tenant’s operations. Otherwise, this situation can result in early termination or bad faith disputes between the lessor and lessee.
Lease Term
A term clause in a triple net lease specifies the lease’s duration and includes the commencement date, expiration date, and, in some cases, any renewal options. Before signing, it is in your best interest to take a realistic look ahead to determine the space’s future viability concerning the company’s anticipated growth.
Rent Amount
A rent clause may include factors other than the amount due each month or quarter. Automatic rent increase mechanisms, for example, could be included in a rent clause, which could have a significant impact on the tenant’s financials over the lease’s term.
Pro-Rata Operating Costs
In a triple net lease, tenants pay extraneous expenses to the landlord or lessor in addition to rent. The pro-rata operating costs cover the building’s property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance. Typically, the landlord will calculate payments based on a division of annual expenses and total rental square footage in the building.
Here is an article that goes further into triple net leases.
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How Triple Net Leases Work
A triple net lease works by a commercial property owner leasing a building or space to a tenant. However, instead of including all taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance (CAM) in the rent amount, the tenant pays an equal portion based on square footage. This outcome contrasts traditional commercial lease agreements where the landlord is either responsible for these costs or passes them along to tenants at a higher rate and with fewer options.
Common Area Maintenance
Common area maintenance, or CAM, is a “catch-all” term that refers to other operating costs beyond insurance and taxes.
Examples of CAM costs include the following:
- HVAC
- Landscaping & lawn maintenance
- Maintenance of the exterior
- Parking garages and lots
- Roofing
- Security features
- Signage
- Snow removal
- Utilities
How you choose to structure your agreements depends on several factors, including geographic region, industry, building size, building use, and more. You should seek legal help if you need advice when drafting this type of agreement.
Triple Net Lease Examples
If you are still confused by how triple net lease agreements work, you are not alone. The complicated terms and conditions often leave tenants and landlords mystified. However, reviewing an example can help you solidify your understanding.
Here is an in-depth example of how a triple net lease works:
- Brightline Inc. rents commercial offices to professional service providers
- The company offers triple net leases to prospective tenants
- The company has a 14,000 square foot building divided into individual offices, common areas, reception, break rooms, bathrooms, and office suites
- The building can lease up to twenty units
- The company spends $100,000 annually on taxes, insurance, and CAM
- Startup Co. wants to rent office space from Brightline, Inc. on a triple net lease agreement
- Startup Co. intends to rent a small 500 square-foot office space
- Brightline Inc. asks Startup Co. to pay $1,000 per month in rent
- Brightline Inc. must also calculate the cost of insurance, taxes, and CAM
- Brightline Inc. determines that it costs $7.14 per square per year foot to maintain the property
- Startup Co. must pay $297.50 per month for insurance, taxes, and CAM based on the preceding calculation
- Startup Co.’s total monthly rent due on a triple net lease agreement is $1,297.50 per month or $15,570 per year
As you can see, there is a bit of math and valuation involved. Landlords will also need to predictably estimate property taxes, insurance premiums, and utility costs. Otherwise, the arrangement can quickly turn into a widening gap of opportunity costs.
Image via Pexels by Guillaume
Other Types of Commercial Leases
Although triple net leases are frequently used in commercial real estate, they are not the only type of lease. There are numerous lease types, and each has a slightly different definition depending upon the perspective of the professional and industry.
In addition to triple net leases, the other types of commercial leases include the following:
Type 1. Net Leases
Under a net lease, the tenant may be required to pay a portion of the taxes based on a percentage of the building, but not maintenance or insurance costs. This lease type contrasts triple net since the latter requires insurance and maintenance costs.
Type 2. Absolute Leases
The tenant is responsible for paying for everything and may even be responsible for maintaining everything under an absolute lease. If the roof begins to leak, the tenant may be required to contact their roofer and make repairs, for example.
Type 3. Modified Gross Leases
A modified gross lease includes expenses paid by both the tenant and the landlord. Typically, the landlord pays taxes and insurance, but the tenant is still responsible for office expenses such as janitorial services.
The tenant or the landlord may both be responsible for paying the utilities. There are numerous ways to divide costs, but modified gross rent is typically higher under this arrangement than with a triple net lease to compensate for the landlord’s additional expenses.
Type 4. Gross Leases
Gross leases are when the landlord covers all costs, including taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and even janitorial service. The tenant is only responsible for rent, which is typically significantly higher on a gross lease than on a triple net lease.
Here is an article that goes further into the types of commercial leases.
When is a triple net lease a good idea?
A triple net lease is a good idea when landlords want a reliable source of income with lower overhead costs. At the same time, tenants receive the benefit of customizing their units and achieving brand consistency. Another advantage is that these leases are frequently quite flexible in terms of tax and insurance increases. Additionally, the landlord is not required to be actively involved in the property’s management.
Get Help With a Triple Net Leases
Landlords and tenants alike can offset a commercial retail, manufacturing, or office space lease cost. However, triple net lease terms and conditions must be consistent with your intent and current market conditions. Get help with triple net leases by employing the services of real estate lawyers.
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ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
Meet some of our Triple Net Lease Lawyers
Faryal A.
Ms. Ayub is an attorney licensed to practice in Texas. Before moving to the US, she has a number of years of experience in contract review, analysis and drafting. Ms. Ayub is available to help you with your legal problems, as well as filling LLC and other business entity formation documents. To know more about her practice, please visit https://ayublawfirmpllc.com/.
"Hi Faryal, thank you for the support in closing out my separation agreement. It was really appreciated and I look forward to next opportunity to work with you. thanks Peter"
Tim E.
Tim advises small businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-ups on a wide range of legal matters. He has experience with company formation and restructuring, capital and equity planning, tax planning and tax controversy, contract drafting, and employment law issues. His clients range from side gig sole proprietors to companies recognized by Inc. magazine.
"Tim was excellent! I gave him project details (liability waiver and rental agreement) and what I needed and he produced the day he said he would with ZERO revisions needed. Highly recommend."
Alton H.
I am a U.S.-licensed attorney with more than a decade of experience in complex litigation and intellectual property matters. I have practiced at leading Am Law firms including Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Arent Fox, and Sughrue Mion, and I currently operate my own law practice. I have extensive experience handling high-stakes patent litigation, drafting pleadings and briefs, managing large-scale discovery, preparing and defending depositions, and appearing before federal courts and administrative bodies such as the PTAB and ITC. I hold a J.D., cum laude, from The George Washington University Law School and advanced technical degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering, which allow me to efficiently handle technically complex matters. I am admitted in multiple jurisdictions, including New York, Virginia, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, and I regularly provide high-quality remote legal support to clients nationwide.
"Alton worked with me to create several documents for my independent (indie) video game studio. This included clauses about IP assignment, waiving rights, compensation, warranties, and so on. He worked diligently to turn 12 pages of my informal notes and intentions into a comprehensive package that diligently and accurately covers all the bases. It was a great experience overall, taking about two weeks of on-and-off discussion and revisions to understand the requirements of the documents; had I been quicker to respond, it likely would have been closer to a week. If you're working on a creative project where IP assignment and compensation need to be worked out, I recommend Alton for the job!"
Alen A.
Alen Aydinian is a seasoned real estate attorney with a wealth of experience in handling transactional matters, real estate transactions, and lease agreements. As a licensed real estate broker, Alen Aydinian brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing clients to benefit from both legal expertise and practical industry knowledge. He is a trusted advisor in the realm of real estate transactions and lease agreements. Whether representing buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants, Alen Aydinian is committed to providing strategic counsel and dedicated advocacy every step of the way. Clients rely on him for sound legal guidance, proactive problem-solving, and unwavering support throughout the transaction process.
"I contracted Alen for a commercial lease review. I couldn't be happier with the results, as he exceeded my expectations. He completed the project 2 days ahead of the estimated timeframe, gave me high quality feedback, and suggested alternate language. We had a call at the end and he answered all of my questions in detail. Incredible value. I'm so happy I chose Alen, and I definitely recommend him to anyone else needing legal assistance."
Alex M.
Mr. Mehdipour attended the University of California San Diego where he received his degree in political science. After graduating from UCSD, Mr. Mehdipour attended Southwestern University School of Law where he received his JD. Upon passing the bar, Mr. Mehdipour gained invaluable experience both in a law firm and business setting. Mr. Mehdipour uses his prior business and legal experiences to negotiate the most advantageous results for his clients.
August 28, 2021
Nicholas A.
I help small business owners build and protect their dreams. I always thought that I would just be a litigator. Then I joined an intellectual property clinic in law school. We were helping nonprofits and small businesses reach their goals. I fell in love with the work and decided to open my own firm so I could keep helping them. When I decided to start Victrix Legal, I decided that it would be a modern law firm designed to serve professionals. It would be different from every other law firm. In my experience, my law firms are designed to promote inefficiency and reactionary lawyering. Because in most firms, you make more money when you spend more time on a project. And you lose money if your client doesn't get sued. In my opinion, that's a built-in conflict of interest. My firm is different. I use flat fees for most basic projects to keep costs predictable for you and incentivize efficiency. I offer long-term advisory plans and legal audits to prevent issues from happening. I want my clients to see me as their business partner, not just the guy they call when they are in trouble. If any of that interests you, please reach out to me. I offer free consultations. Let's set aside some time and talk about what your legal needs are.
August 28, 2021
Gerald W.
My clients know me as more than just an attorney. First and foremost, my background is much broader than that. Prior to attending the Valparaiso University School of Law, I earned a Master of Business Administration and ran a small business as a certified public accountant. Thanks to this experience, I possess unique insight which in turn allows me to better assist my clients with a wide range of business and tax matters today. In total, I have over 20 years of experience in financial management, tax law, and business consulting, and I’m proud to say that I’m utilizing the knowledge I’ve gained to assist the community of Round Rock in a variety of ways. In my current practice, I provide counsel to small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday individuals. Though my primary areas of practice are estate planning, elder law, business consulting, and tax planning, I pride myself on assisting my clients in a comprehensive manner. Whenever I take on a new client, I make an effort to get to know them on a personal level. This, of course, begins with listening. It is important that I fully understand their vision so I can help them successfully translate it into a concrete plan of action that meets their goals and expectations. I appreciate the individual attributes of each client and know firsthand that thoughtful, creative, and customized planning can maximize both financial security and personal happiness. During my time as a certified public accountant, I cultivated an invaluable skill set. After all, while my legal education has given me a deep understanding of tax law, I would not be the tax attorney I am today without my background in accounting. Due to my far-reaching experience, I am competent in unraveling even the most complex tax mysteries and disputes. My CPA training benefits my estate planning practice, too. In the process of drafting comprehensive wills and trusts, I carefully account for every asset and plan for any tax burdens that may arise, often facilitating a much smoother inheritance for the heirs of my clients. Prior to becoming certified as a CPA, I made sure to establish a solid foundation in business both in and out of the classroom, and the acumen I’ve attained has served me well. Not only am I better able to run my own practice than I otherwise would be; I am able to help other small business owners fulfill their dreams, as well.
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Create Insurance clause on triple net lease
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What are the rights and responsibilities of a tenant in a triple net lease?
As a small business owner, I am considering entering into a triple net lease agreement for a commercial property. I have heard that in a triple net lease, the tenant is responsible for paying not only the rent but also additional expenses such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Before signing any agreement, I would like to understand the specific rights and responsibilities I would have as a tenant in a triple net lease, and how these differ from a standard lease agreement.
Samantha O.
Hello there! Yes, typically a triple-net ("NNN") lease pushes all of the property (or portion thereof) expenses onto the tenant - essentially as if the tenant was the owner. This differs from a gross lease, where a tenant pays rent only (therefore, the tenant can more accurately predict annual costs). In a NNN lease, it is important for a tenant to (at minimum) be able to estimate how much the NNN expenses will be prior to executing the lease. If a NNN lease is the only option, there are many ways the lease can be revised to mitigate risk for the tenant. I’d be happy to review the lease and suggest such revisions. Thank you!
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Need a Triple net lease with a provider who is renting my home for people with Disabilities
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Bid Range: $700 - $2,500
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