background
Welcome to Wall Street Prep! Use code at checkout for 15% off.
Wharton & Wall Street Prep Certificates
Now Enrolling for February 2025 for September 2024
:
Private EquityReal Estate InvestingFP&A
Wharton & Wall Street Prep Certificates:
Enrollment for February 2025 is Open
Wall Street Prep

Occupancy Cost Percentage

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Occupancy Cost Percentage in Real Estate

Last Updated February 20, 2024

Learn Online Now

Join 750k+ Learners Today

Occupancy Cost Percentage

How to Calculate Occupancy Cost Percentage

The occupancy cost percentage, or “health ratio”, measures the total occupancy cost incurred by a tenant relative to the gross sales generated at the property, most often on an annual basis.

  • Total Occupancy Cost → The total costs incurred by a tenant pursuant to a leasing agreement, such as the base rent, property taxes, and utilities.
  • Gross Sales → The gross revenue generated by the tenant at the property.

The type of lease agreement is the primary determinant of occupancy costs, as the terms outlined in the lease agreement will state the party responsible for each cost (i.e. the lessee or the lessor).

In the commercial real estate (CRE) market, the total occupancy cost most often consists of the following:

  • Base Rent
  • Property Taxes
  • Common Area Maintenance (CAM Charges)
  • Percentage Rent
  • Utilities
  • Property Insurance
  • Maintenance and Repair Costs

By comparing the total occupancy cost to the gross sales earned by a tenant, the percentage of a tenant’s revenue allocated toward meeting the lease obligations can be quantified.

The occupancy cost percentage is a method of ensuring the financial viability of a tenant from the perspective of the property owner.

While the contractual payment obligations of the tenant are stated in the lease agreement, it is still in the “best interests” of the property owner to make sure the financial health of the tenant is in good standing.

Otherwise, the tenant is more likely to vacate the space (non-renewal), or in the worst case scenario, be at risk of defaulting and becoming insolvent.

dl

Real Estate Interview Guide | File Download Form

By submitting this form, you consent to receive email from Wall Street Prep and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Submitting...

What is a Good Occupancy Cost Ratio?

Generally speaking, the lower the occupancy cost percentage, the greater the likelihood that the tenant will remain at the current property over the long term.

Conversely, the higher the occupancy cost percentage, the more likely the tenant will vacate – since remaining at the current property is not economically feasible for them over the long run.

If the occupancy cost percentage is outsized relative to the relevant industry benchmark (with a material impact on profit margins), the tenant is prone to vacate the space or property, as the current cost structure is thus not sustainable.

Hence, in such a case, a property owner (or landlord) should consider offering a reduction in the base rent or reimbursements to incentivize the tenant to remain.

How to Interpret Occupancy Cost Ratio in Retail Sector

Of the sectors in commercial real estate, the retail segment tends to be the most sensitive to the occupancy cost ratio.

The primary reason for the importance of tracking the occupancy cost percentage in the retail sector is because tenants can move around much more easily relative to other sectors.

There are exceptions, of course, but as an illustrative example – consider the mobility of a coffee shop compared to a niche manufacturer occupying an industrial warehouse.

The sub-segments of the retail sector with the lowest occupancy cost percentages include pharmacies and cosmetic supply stores, whereas those with the highest percentages include movie theaters and fitness centers.

The retail sector suffered steep losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the retail sector, aside from shopping centers, has now normalized, with a positive outlook heading into 2024 – despite the shift in consumer spending from “brick-and-mortar” to eCommerce.

The outlook for the retail sector is rather positive, attributable to the emerging trend of the omnichannel retail strategy – such as Starbucks (SBUX) integrating its Starbucks Rewards mobile app for in-store pick-ups.

Starbucks Retail Omnichannel

Starbucks Rewards – Omnichannel Example (Source: Starbucks)

Occupancy Cost Percentage Formula

The formula to calculate the occupancy cost percentage is the ratio between the total occupancy cost and gross sales at the given property, expressed as a percentage.

Occupancy Cost Percentage (%) = Total Occupancy Cost ÷ Gross Sales

Since the occupancy cost ratio is expressed as a percentage, the output must then be multiplied by 100.

The percentage can be compared to historical data as well as industry comparables to benchmark performance.

The Wharton Online
and Wall Street Prep Real Estate Investing & Analysis Certificate Program

Level up your real estate investing career. Enrollment is open for the Feb. 10 - Apr. 6 Wharton Certificate Program cohort.

Enroll Today

Occupancy Cost Percentage Calculator

We’ll now move to a modeling exercise, which you can access by filling out the form below.

dl

Get the Excel Template!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive email from Wall Street Prep and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Submitting...

Occupancy Cost Percentage Calculation Example

Suppose we’re tasked with calculating the occupancy cost percentage of a luxury retailer based in New York given the following assumptions.

2024A Property Data

  • Tenant Square Footage (sq. ft.) = 25k sq. ft.
  • Base Rent = $450k
  • CAM Charges = $100k
  • Property Taxes = $60k
  • Percentage Rent = $20k
  • Gross Sales = $5 million

The total occupancy cost is the sum of the base rent and other charges (CAM, property taxes, and percentage rent), which comes out to $630k.

  • Total Occupancy Cost = $450k + $100k + $60k + $20k = $630k

By dividing the total occupancy cost by the tenant’s gross sales at the property, we arrive at an occupancy cost percentage of 12.6%.

  • Occupancy Cost Percentage = $630k ÷ $5 million = 12.6%

Occupancy Cost Percentage Calculator


The Wall Street Prep Quicklesson Series

7 Free Financial Modeling Lessons

Get instant access to video lessons taught by experienced investment bankers. Learn financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel shortcuts.