leasing
net lease
A net lease is a lease in which the tenant pays base rent plus some or all of the property's operating expenses, such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The more expenses the tenant covers, the more "net" the lease is to the landlord. In a triple net lease, the tenant pays all three major categories. Net leases are common in commercial and industrial property and give landlords predictable income.
- Exam tip
- Gross lease: landlord pays operating expenses. Net lease: tenant pays some or all of them. Triple net (NNN) means taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
- Example
- A retailer pays $8,000 monthly rent plus its share of the shopping center's property taxes and insurance under a net lease.
Related terms & state variants
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Last verified: 2026-10-23