CAM audits verify the numbers on your reconciliation. Lease reviews verify the language in your contract. You need both for full protection.
A CAM audit examines the landlord's annual reconciliation statement to verify that the charges billed to the tenant match the lease terms and actual expenses. It focuses on numbers: math accuracy, proper allocation, cap compliance, and whether excluded items were charged.
A lease review analyzes the actual lease document to identify provisions, obligations, rights, and risk areas before or during the lease term. It focuses on language: how expenses are defined, what caps exist, what audit rights are available, and what exclusions protect the tenant.
| Dimension | CAM Audit | Lease Review |
|---|---|---|
| What it examines | Reconciliation numbers and calculations | Lease language and terms |
| When it is most useful | After receiving annual reconciliation | Before signing or renewing a lease |
| Output | Specific overcharges with dollar amounts | Risk assessment with recommended changes |
| Frequency | Annually, triggered by reconciliation | At signing, renewal, or when disputes arise |
| Recovery potential | Direct dollar recovery from identified overcharges | Future cost avoidance through better terms |
A lease review and a CAM audit serve complementary purposes. The lease review establishes what the landlord is permitted to charge. The CAM audit verifies whether the landlord stayed within those boundaries. Without a lease review, you may not know what to look for in an audit. Without an audit, you will never know if the landlord violated the terms you negotiated.
Skipping CAM audits is worse in immediate dollar terms because overcharges accumulate year after year with no recovery mechanism. Skipping lease reviews is worse in long-term terms because unfavorable provisions (no cap, no audit rights, broad expense definitions) lock in risk for the entire lease term.
Upload two PDFs. 14 detection rules. Under 15 minutes. Free.
Upload two PDFs. 14 detection rules. Under 15 minutes. Free.
Next Best Step
Use a pricing and proof pass before you start an audit so the commercial case is clear.
Review the flat-fee audit model before you compare vendors any further.
See what the paid output looks like before you upload documents.
Run the free audit once you have enough proof to move.
Ready to skip the reading and document the overcharge directly?
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.
