Houston, Texas Gross-up Clause in a Base Year Lease: An In-depth Explanation In the realm of commercial real estate leasing, the inclusion of a gross-up clause in a base year lease agreement is of utmost importance. This clause plays a significant role in ensuring fair and equitable distribution of expenses related to operating the common areas of a building among its tenants. It is particularly pertinent in bustling cities like Houston, Texas, where commercial spaces are abundant, and shared expenses must be accounted for properly. What is a Gross-up Clause? A gross-up clause in a base year lease is a contractual provision that allows property owners or landlords to adjust the expenses incurred in maintaining and operating the common areas of a building to reflect the maximum hypothetical occupancy of the property. It essentially ensures that tenants pay their fair share of common area expenses, regardless of the actual occupancy rate at a given time. Types of Houston, Texas Gross-up Clauses: 1. Maximum Occupancy Gross-up Clause: This type of gross-up clause is most commonly used in base year leases in Houston, Texas. It stipulates that the total operating expenses for common areas will be calculated based on the assumption that the building has achieved the maximum hypothetical occupancy. This maximum occupancy is often determined as a percentage of the rentable area within the building or established through other agreed-upon metrics. By considering the maximum occupancy in the calculation of common area expenses, this type of gross-up clause ensures fairness among tenants, even when the actual occupancy falls below the hypothetical maximum. It prevents tenants from unfairly bearing the burden of higher expenses due to lower occupancy rates. 2. Stabilized Occupancy Gross-up Clause: As an alternative to the maximum occupancy clause, some Houston base year leases may include a stabilized occupancy gross-up clause. This provision calculates operating expenses based on a predetermined stabilized occupancy level, which is typically lower than the maximum occupancy rate. Stabilized occupancy is often chosen as a percentage that reflects the historical or projected average occupancy rate of the building. The stabilized occupancy gross-up clause accounts for the fluctuations in occupancy rates that occur over time. It ensures that tenants are not subject to sudden surges in operating expenses due to inflated hypothetical occupancy numbers. By using a stabilized occupancy threshold, landlords and tenants can better forecast and plan for common area expenses. In conclusion, the inclusion of a Houston, Texas gross-up clause in a base year lease is crucial for the equitable distribution of operating expenses related to shared common areas among tenants. Whether utilizing a maximum occupancy gross-up clause or a stabilized occupancy gross-up clause, it ensures that tenants are not burdened with disproportionate expenses, regardless of the fluctuations in occupancy rates within the building.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.