Question 1

How do CAM charges work in New York City commercial leases?

Accepted Answer

NYC commercial leases, especially in Manhattan, often use complex CAM structures with separately tracked expense pools for the building, floor, and common areas. Management fees typically run 3-5% of total operating costs. The "account stated" doctrine means you must object to charges promptly after receiving reconciliation statements.

Question 2

What is the statute of limitations for CAM disputes in New York?

Accepted Answer

New York has a 6-year statute of limitations for written contract claims (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213). However, the account stated doctrine can shorten your effective recovery window if you fail to object promptly to annual reconciliations.

Question 3

Which CAM overcharges are most common in NYC office leases?

Accepted Answer

The most frequent findings in NYC include management fee overcharges (fee applied to categories excluded by the lease), improper inclusion of capital expenditures in operating expenses, property tax escalation calculation errors, and base year manipulation in gross lease structures.

Question 4

Do I need an attorney to dispute CAM charges in New York?

Accepted Answer

No. You can send a formal objection letter with supporting calculations directly to your landlord. Many NYC CAM disputes settle without litigation. CamAudit generates a dispute letter draft with New York statute citations, which you can send yourself or have counsel review.

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