My New Blog

CAM is short for Common Area Maintenance.  One thing I've found, there is no universal agreement as to what it contains.  The biggest misunderstanding I've found is that many time Property Tax is included as a CAM item.  It's not, it's property tax.  You'll also hear CAM quotes as "the Nets", NNN.

CAM goes for items such as lawn maintenance, parking lot maintenance and lighting, common area insurance, building insurance, electrical, etc.  It should even include a "reserve for replacement" of the roof and for painting.  So if the CAM you are being quoted seems low, check it out.  You may pay more in the long run or the property may not be kept as you expected.  CAMS will range from $2.25 to $5.25 and everywhere in between. 

It's important for you to know that the CAM is not suppossed to be a profit center for the Landlord.  It is for the cost of operating the property.  You should rightfully pay, but no more than what is correctly allocated in the annual budget. 

You have a right to see the CAM budget and if the amount you paid is more than the budget (if there are questionable items in it) you would be due a refund.  If you didn't pay enough because a cost went up, be prepared to write a check for more. 

Next time you're quoted a number call me, I'll help you decipher it.  For commercial real estate in Daytona Beach, Ormond, Port Orange or South Daytona call me Claude Gardner at 386 846 4135