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
September residential sales, not seasonally adjusted; the annual comparison uses CREA’s revised figures. Chart: 
Annual changes in the unadjusted national MLS® HPI and average sale price. The average is affected by the mix of transactions. Chart: 
Seasonally adjusted residential months of inventory by province. Local property types can differ substantially. Chart: 
Ontario and B.C. are the two provinces with forecast annual average-price declines in 2026. Chart: 
Annual average transaction prices in Canadian dollars. Forecast values are not December price targets. Chart: 
Five-year changes in seasonally adjusted composite MLS® HPI benchmarks, September 2021 to September 2026. Chart: 
(Avison Young)
The Mason Suite Interior (Infinity Properties)
The Mason Suite Interior (Infinity Properties)
Rail District aerial (Infinity Properties)
Versant (Infinity Properties)