Operating Costs
Explore operating costs in Canadian real estate: what they include, how they’re passed to tenants, and how they impact profitability and valuation.
June 16, 2025
What are Operating Costs?
Operating costs are the recurring expenses associated with owning and managing a property, including taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, and property management fees.
Why Operating Costs Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, operating costs influence rent levels, investment returns, and budgeting for both commercial and residential properties.
Typical operating costs include:
- Property taxes
- Building insurance
- Utilities (heat, water, electricity)
- Maintenance and repairs
- Management fees
In commercial leases, these costs are often passed through to tenants in full or in part, depending on lease structure (e.g., triple net or gross).
Understanding operating costs helps buyers, tenants, and landlords accurately project cash flow and value properties effectively.
Example of Operating Costs in Action
The landlord includes snow removal and building insurance in the operating costs billed back to the retail tenant under their net lease.
Key Takeaways
- Includes recurring property-related expenses
- Affects profitability and tenant charges
- Varies by lease type and property use
- Must be factored into financial planning
- Important for both owners and tenants
Related Terms
- Net Lease
- Triple Net Lease
- Gross Lease
- Property Management
- Budgeting
401-415 King Street West. (JLL)
Eric Lombardi at an event for Build Toronto, which is the first municipal project of Build Canada. Lombardi became chair of Build Toronto in September 2025.
Rendering of 9 Shortt Street/CreateTO, Montgomery Sisam
Rendering of 1631 Queen Street/CreateTO, SVN Architects & Planners, Two Row Architect
Rendering of 405 Sherbourne Street/Toronto Community Housing, Alison Brooks Architects, architectsAlliance
Hudson’s Bay vacated about as much space as Target did in 2015. (JLL)