The total floor area a tenant is charged for, combining their private usable space with a proportional share of common areas like lobbies, hallways, and restrooms. Rentable square footage is always larger than usable square footage and directly determines how much you pay in rent and CAM charges.
Rentable square footage (RSF) equals usable square footage multiplied by the building load factor. The measurement standard is typically BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association), though not all landlords follow the same version. RSF is the denominator in most CAM allocation formulas, making it a high-impact number in any lease audit.
A landlord measures usable space at 4,000 SF but applies a load factor of 1.20 instead of the actual 1.12, inflating rentable square footage to 4,800 SF instead of the correct 4,480 SF. The tenant overpays on every rent and CAM calculation tied to that figure.
Verify your rentable square footage independently. Request the BOMA measurement standard version your lease references, and consider hiring a space measurement professional if the numbers seem high relative to your actual occupied space.
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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.
