Can my landlord charge me for a new monument sign through CAM?

No. A new monument sign is a capital improvement. The landlord cannot pass the fabrication and installation cost through as maintenance. If the existing sign required replacement due to normal wear, the cost must be amortized over the sign's useful life. If it was replaced for branding purposes, the cost belongs entirely to the landlord.

What signage costs are legitimate CAM expenses?

Legitimate maintenance costs include repainting or refinishing existing signs, replacing burned-out bulbs in illuminated signage, repairing minor damage from weather, and updating tenant directory panels. These are routine upkeep costs. Fabrication of new signs, installation of digital signage, and structural sign replacement are capital expenditures.

Can my landlord charge me for a new monument sign through CAM?

No. A new monument sign is a capital improvement. The landlord cannot pass the fabrication and installation cost through as maintenance. If the existing sign required replacement due to normal wear, the cost must be amortized over the sign's useful life. If it was replaced for branding purposes, the cost belongs entirely to the landlord.

What signage costs are legitimate CAM expenses?

Legitimate maintenance costs include repainting or refinishing existing signs, replacing burned-out bulbs in illuminated signage, repairing minor damage from weather, and updating tenant directory panels. These are routine upkeep costs. Fabrication of new signs, installation of digital signage, and structural sign replacement are capital expenditures.

Signage Maintenance: CAM Line Item Audit Guide

Upkeep and repair of monument signs, directory boards, pylon signs, and wayfinding signage in common areas.

Recoverability & Controllability by Lease Type

Lease Type	Recoverable?	Controllable?
NNN	Yes	Yes
Modified Gross	Yes	Yes
Full-Service Gross	No	Yes

CapEx Risk: This line item is commonly used to disguise capital expenditures as operating expenses. Verify all invoices against GAAP standards.

Approximate budget share: 1-2% of total CAM pool.

Common Abuse Patterns

A landlord replaces the entire pylon sign to rebrand the shopping center after an acquisition, passing through full fabrication and installation costs as "signage maintenance."

Red Flags to Watch

"Fabrication," "new monument," or "sign replacement" on invoices
Signage costs occurring after a property sale or rebranding
New digital signage installation billed as maintenance
Signage costs spike in the year before a lease renewal negotiation

CapEx Risk Alert

This line item is commonly used to disguise capital expenditures as operating expenses. Capital expenditures must be excluded from CAM or amortized over their useful life per GAAP. If you see unusually high or one-time charges in this category, request all invoices and scope-of-work documentation before paying.

Your Right to Dispute

Challenge any signage fabrication, installation, or full replacement as a capital expenditure. Routine maintenance — repainting, bulb replacement in illuminated signs, panel touch-ups — is an operating expense. Landlord rebranding costs are entirely the landlord's responsibility and must be excluded from CAM.

Ready to check your numbers? Start a free CAM scan.

Scan My Lease Now

Related Resources

GlossaryCAM Glossary GlossaryControllable Expenses ResourcesCAM Audit by State ToolsFree CAM Audit Tools

Frequently asked questions

Audit Your Signage Maintenance Charges

Upload two PDFs. 12 detection rules. Under 5 minutes. Free.

Start Free Audit

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.

Lease Type

Recoverable?

Controllable?

NNN

Yes

Modified Gross

Yes

Full-Service Gross

Yes

CapEx Risk Alert

Your Right to Dispute