What is one disadvantage of a gross lease for property owners?

A gross lease means that the property owner is responsible for all operating expenses associated with the property. This arrangement often leads to unpredictable operating expenses because the owner must absorb costs such as maintenance, utilities, property taxes, and insurance, which can fluctuate over time. For instance, an increase in property taxes or unexpected maintenance issues can significantly impact the financial stability of the property owner, making it difficult to budget for these costs accurately.

In contrast, predictable operating costs can be an advantage of gross leases from the tenant's perspective, as they know exactly how much they will pay each month without surprise fees. Limited tenant responsibilities mean that tenants may not be incentivized to take good care of the property since they aren't financially responsible for operational costs. While standardized lease terms can provide clarity and consistency, they do not address the primary disadvantage of volatility in operating costs for the property owner that comes with a gross lease structure.