What is a CAM audit?
A CAM (Common Area Maintenance) audit is a detailed review of the charges passed through by your landlord under your lease. It typically includes CAM expenses, property taxes, and insurance. The goal is to verify that the charges align with the terms of your lease—and that you’re not overpaying.
Why would I need a CAM audit?
Landlord CAM statements are often complex, inconsistent, or incorrect. Errors can happen—whether due to poor accounting, misinterpretation of lease terms, or improper allocations. A CAM audit ensures you’re only paying your fair share and helps recover overcharges when they occur.
What’s your background?
I’m currently a CFO of a national, fully integrated real estate company and have worked in accounting and finance for over 15 years, including Big 4 public accounting. I’ve overseen thousands of CAM reconciliations from the landlord’s side and led a team of 25+ accountants dedicated to this work. I started this business to help tenants like you avoid overpaying.
How do you charge for tenant audits?
We charge 33% of the savings we identify and you receive. If we don’t find any savings — or you choose not to pursue them — there’s no fee. Simple as that.
How long does the process take?
Every audit is unique, but most reviews can be completed within 2–4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the lease and the responsiveness of your landlord. Recoveries may take longer, depending on the negotiation or landlord approval process.
I’m a landlord — can you help me improve my CAM process?
Absolutely. We review lease structures, cost recovery models, and accounting practices to identify missed revenue opportunities and prevent tenant pushback. We also build or clean up CAM audit models on a per-project basis.
Is this adversarial? Will my landlord get upset?
No — auditing CAM is an expected part of the lease process. Landlords understand this and should be willing to explain how charges are calculated. Our goal is to be professional, fair, and collaborative.
Do you contact the landlord directly?
Yes, with your permission. I handle all landlord communication professionally and discreetly. My goal is to work constructively—not adversarially—to get to the right outcome. You fully indemnify me for any landlord outreach as part of this process.
What if my landlord increases my charges after the audit?
This is very rare, but possible. Some audits may uncover misclassified expenses that landlords then reclassify or clarify. I make no guarantees, but I use best efforts and sound judgment based on years of experience. I take a tenant-first approach to risk.
Can you audit past years?
Yes! Some leases allow you to review charges from prior years—typically within a defined “lookback” period (e.g., 12–36 months). I’ll confirm your lease terms to determine eligibility.
What do you need from me to get started?
Just send me your lease (including any amendments) and the CAM/operating expense statements you’ve received. I’ll take it from there.
Who typically wouldn’t benefit from this service?
Not all tenants will benefit from a CAM audit. You likely won’t see a meaningful return if:
– Your lease includes fixed CAM charges that don’t vary year to year (also known as “base year” or “flat CAM”).
– You occupy a very small space in a large property, where your proportional share of expenses is minimal.
– You already negotiated and verified detailed CAM terms and annual reconciliations with full transparency.
That said, if you’re unsure, I’m happy to take a quick, no-cost look at your lease and let you know whether an audit makes sense.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
CAM Audit Services 