How long do I have to dispute a CAM overcharge in California?

California has a 4-year statute of limitations for written contract claims, which governs commercial lease CAM disputes. Most commercial leases also specify an audit rights window — commonly 60–180 days after receiving the annual reconciliation statement — so review your lease and act promptly after receiving your reconciliation.

What CAM charges can I dispute in California?

In California, as in all states, you can dispute any CAM charge that violates your lease terms. Common findings include management fee overcharges (fee exceeds the lease cap), pro-rata share errors (wrong denominator), gross-up violations (fixed expenses grossed up as variable), CAM cap violations (controllable expense increases exceeding the contractual limit), and excluded expenses (capital expenditures, reserves, above-grade salaries) included in CAM.

Do I need an attorney to dispute CAM overcharges in California?

No. You can initiate a dispute by sending a demand letter directly to your landlord with your findings and calculations. Many CAM disputes settle without legal involvement. For complex disputes or unresponsive landlords, a commercial real estate attorney experienced in California lease law can help. CamAudit generates the demand letter for you, including California-specific statute citations.

How does CamAudit work for California commercial tenants?

Upload your commercial lease and CAM reconciliation statement. CamAudit's AI extracts your lease terms and runs 12 forensic detection rules in parallel. You get results in under 5 minutes showing total potential recovery and per-rule findings. Unlock the full report with audit credits ($199 for 1 audit, $499 for 3, $699 for 5) and generate a demand letter with California statute references. 30-day money-back guarantee.

CAM Audit in California

Commercial tenants in California (CA) have up to 4 years to recover CAM overcharges under state contract law.* CamAudit runs 12 forensic detection rules on your reconciliation statement in under a minute.

If you've never audited your CAM charges, the clock may not have started yet.†

California CAM Audit Facts

✓California courts broadly enforce commercial lease audit rights provisions.
✓The 4-year statute of limitations for written contract claims (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337) allows tenants to recover overcharges from the past 4 years.
✓SB 1103 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.9, eff. Jan 1, 2025) gives qualified commercial tenants — small businesses, nonprofits, and restaurants — statutory CAM itemization and audit rights.
✓In McClain v. Octagon Plaza (2008), the California Court of Appeal held that tenants may recover CAM overcharges even where the lease contains a limiting reconciliation clause, reinforcing the right to accurate billing.
✓California tenants in NNN leases should audit annually; overcharges compound over time.

California Commercial Lease Statutes

Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.9

Qualified Commercial Tenant CAM Rights (SB 1103)

Effective January 1, 2025, SB 1103 grants "qualified commercial tenants" (small businesses with 5 or fewer employees, nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees, restaurants with fewer than 10 employees) the right to itemized CAM statements. Landlords must provide supporting documentation within 30 days of a written request, and may only charge for operating costs incurred within the previous 18 months or reasonably expected within the next 12.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337

Statute of Limitations — Written Contracts

Establishes a 4-year limitation period for breach of written contract claims, including CAM overcharge disputes arising from a commercial lease.

Prejudgment Interest Rate

Contract rate if specified; 10% per annum for contracts entered after January 1, 1986. Interest on CAM overcharge recovery is governed by state law and your lease terms — confirm the applicable rate with counsel before making any demand.

Demand Letter Delivery

Written request; certified mail and electronic delivery both conventional. Always follow your lease's notice provisions first — the lease may specify the required delivery method, address, and copy recipients.

Find Your California CAM Overcharges

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*Recovery period depends on your lease terms. Leases containing audit deadline or 'binding and conclusive' provisions may limit your recovery window. CamAudit is not a law firm. This is not legal advice.

†Applies in states recognizing the discovery rule for contract claims, including California. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.

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.

Frequently asked questions

California CAM Audit Facts

✓California courts broadly enforce commercial lease audit rights provisions.

✓The 4-year statute of limitations for written contract claims (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 337) allows tenants to recover overcharges from the past 4 years.

✓SB 1103 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.9, eff. Jan 1, 2025) gives qualified commercial tenants — small businesses, nonprofits, and restaurants — statutory CAM itemization and audit rights.

✓In McClain v. Octagon Plaza (2008), the California Court of Appeal held that tenants may recover CAM overcharges even where the lease contains a limiting reconciliation clause, reinforcing the right to accurate billing.

✓California tenants in NNN leases should audit annually; overcharges compound over time.