Shared restroom facilities in a commercial building that serve tenants and visitors who do not have private restrooms within their leased space. Cleaning, supplies, plumbing repairs, and fixture maintenance for common restrooms are standard CAM expenses.
Common area restroom costs include janitorial cleaning (daily or multi-daily), paper products and soap dispensers, plumbing fixture repairs, toilet and urinal replacements, partition maintenance, ventilation fan servicing, and ADA compliance upgrades. These costs are allocated across tenants via pro-rata share as part of the general CAM pool. Restrooms located within a tenant's demised premises are that tenant's responsibility.
A landlord renovated all common area restrooms with premium fixtures, marble countertops, and touchless systems at a cost of $125,000. The full renovation cost was passed through CAM as "restroom maintenance." The upgrade was a capital improvement that increased the building's amenity value and should have been amortized.
Restroom maintenance costs should be relatively stable. If you see a significant increase, request invoices to determine whether the expense is routine upkeep or a renovation. Fixture upgrades and full restroom remodels are capital improvements that should be amortized over their useful life.
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Find My OverchargesThis page provides general educational information. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the most current law in your state. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.
