What is the term for the net amount of space leased taken off the market during a period?

The term "absorption" refers to the net amount of space leased in a market over a specific period. It indicates how much commercial real estate space has been leased and, therefore, taken off the market, reflecting demand for that space. A positive absorption figure suggests that more space is being leased than is becoming available, which is a sign of a healthy market, while negative absorption indicates leasing losses, where more space is becoming vacant than is being taken up.

This concept is crucial in understanding market dynamics, as it helps property managers, investors, and developers gauge the performance of the market. By tracking absorption rates, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding investments, pricing, and development strategies.

In contrast, terms like vacancy rate and occupancy rate provide insights into the proportion of leased versus unleased space in a given market, but they do not specifically capture the net activity of leasing over a time period. Net take-up, while related, often incorporates additional factors such as newly constructed spaces and spaces being returned to the market. Thus, absorption distinctly identifies the net lease activity affecting the availability of space in the market.