Should I pay for gas used in the landlord's on-site management office?

No. The landlord's management office is not a common area used by tenants. Gas consumed by landlord offices, storage areas, or construction facilities must be excluded from common area utility pass-throughs. Request a floor plan identifying common areas and verify the gas metering configuration matches that plan.

How can I verify gas charges are reasonable for the climate?

Compare charges to heating degree day (HDD) data from NOAA for the property location. In a mild winter, gas consumption should be lower than a severe winter. If costs increase year-over-year despite similar HDDs, demand an explanation. Also verify the landlord is not marking up the commodity price beyond the actual utility rate.

Should I pay for gas used in the landlord's on-site management office?

No. The landlord's management office is not a common area used by tenants. Gas consumed by landlord offices, storage areas, or construction facilities must be excluded from common area utility pass-throughs. Request a floor plan identifying common areas and verify the gas metering configuration matches that plan.

How can I verify gas charges are reasonable for the climate?

Compare charges to heating degree day (HDD) data from NOAA for the property location. In a mild winter, gas consumption should be lower than a severe winter. If costs increase year-over-year despite similar HDDs, demand an explanation. Also verify the landlord is not marking up the commodity price beyond the actual utility rate.

Gas (Common Area Heating): CAM Line Item Audit Guide

Natural gas charges for common area heating systems, lobby heating, and shared mechanical equipment.

Recoverability & Controllability by Lease Type

Lease Type	Recoverable?	Controllable?
NNN	Yes	No
Modified Gross	Yes	No
Full-Service Gross	No	No

Approximate budget share: 2-5% of total CAM pool.

Common Abuse Patterns

Gas for tenant-specific HVAC or heating systems is bundled with common area gas charges. Landlords also pass through gas used for their own offices or construction trailers.

Red Flags to Watch

No sub-metering separating common area gas from tenant suite heating
Gas charges increase despite warmer-than-average winter seasons
Landlord's on-site offices or construction equipment included in gas allocation
A markup applied to gas pass-throughs beyond actual utility cost

Your Right to Dispute

Request utility bills and verify gas charges are limited to common area heating systems. Demand sub-metering for any building where individual tenant HVAC is gas-fired. Cross-reference consumption against heating degree days for the relevant billing period to validate the charges are weather-consistent.

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Related Resources

GlossaryCAM Glossary GlossaryControllable Expenses ResourcesCAM Audit by State ToolsFree CAM Audit Tools

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This 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.