Triple Net Lease (NNN): What It Means and How It's Used

A Triple Net Lease (NNN) is one of the most popular and widely used in commercial real estate. Most landlords like this lease arrangement because it transfers much of the financial responsibility for property-related expenses to the tenants. 

But before you decide if it’s right for your investment properties, you must know what “NNN” means and how landlords can use it to their advantage. 

This article covers everything you need to know about triple net leases, including NNN meaning, benefits, drawbacks, and practical applications.

What Is an NNN Lease? Triple Net Lease Meaning Explained

A Triple Net Lease (NNN) is a commonly used commercial real estate lease agreement where the tenants agree to pay all the expenses related to operating the property, including real estate taxes, building insurance, and maintenance, in addition to the cost of rent and utilities. 

This is in comparison to a single net lease, which only requires tenants to pay the property taxes plus rent, and a double net lease that typically tacks on property insurance.

Triple Net Leases are typically used in a scenario when a single tenant occupies the entire building. But such leases can also be structured in multi-tenant settings. 

When multiple tenants share a building, landlords typically allow them to pay for in-suite utilities directly. For shared costs like taxes, insurance, and maintenance, landlords usually charge tenants a fixed amount to cover their portion of these expenses. 

What Does NNN Stand For?

NNN stands for "Triple Net" — a type of commercial lease agreement where the tenant is responsible for three key operating expenses in addition to paying base rent:

1. Net Property Taxes
2. Net Building Insurance
3. Net Common Area Maintenance (CAM) Costs

Each “net” represents a cost that is typically covered by the landlord in other types of leases, but in an NNN lease, these are passed on to the tenant. Hence the term triple net lease.

This structure shifts much of the financial responsibility — and risk — away from the landlord. For tenants, it means lower base rent but more variable monthly expenses depending on the actual costs of taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

Example: If the base rent is $2,000/month and the NNN charges total $800/month, the tenant would pay $2,800 in total each month.

NNN leases are commonly used in commercial real estate, especially with long-term tenants like fast-food franchises, drugstores, and retail chains.

How Does an NNN Lease Work?

The way a triple net lease operates is straightforward; tenants assume responsibility for both the base rent and a range of property-related operating expenses. This dramatically simplifies the landlord's accounting and reduces overheads.

And, by shifting these financial obligations to tenants, investors can achieve a more predictable income structure while reducing their exposure to fluctuating operating costs.

An example of how the monthly payment under an NNN lease would be calculated  is as follows:

Monthly Payment = Base Rent + Common Area Maintenance (CAM) + Property Tax + Property Insurance

This structure ensures that landlords receive rent "net" of expenses, meaning they are insulated from unexpected increases in taxes or insurance premiums. Tenants, on the other hand, gain transparency into their financial obligations and can often negotiate caps or limits on certain costs. Additionally, as NNN leases apply to commercial property, the tenant’s expenses are typically deductible, meaning they can be offset against the commercial tenant’s business income, reducing tax exposure.

Comparing Lease Types: Single, Double, and Triple Net Lease

Another way you can understand the concepts of NNN leases better is by comparing them with other net lease types—single and double net leases. Below is a comparison table of the three net lease types. 

As shown above, NNN leases place the most financial responsibility on tenants. This arrangement can be advantageous for landlords seeking reduced management responsibilities, but may require careful consideration from tenants due to the higher overall cost burden.

Pros and Cons of Triple Net Leases

Before an NNN lease is put in place, both landlords and tenants need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this lease type. This will help to avoid any future disagreements about the responsibility of either party during the lease. 

For Landlords:

Pros

• Reduced operational burden and administrative tasks.
• Stable income streams with minimal surprises.
• Long-term tenant relationships are fostered by extended lease terms.

Cons

• Remains responsible for major structural repairs, such as roof or parking lot issues, which can be harder to catch early on when someone else is handling the majority of the maintenance expenses.
• Dependence on tenant reliability: A default can disrupt cash flow significantly.

For Tenants:

Pros

• Flexibility in managing maintenance costs according to individual standards.
• Potential savings by negotiating favorable vendor rates for services.
• Greater control over their place of business—more ability to make aesthetic changes.

Cons

• Higher overall costs compared to gross leases due to added financial responsibilities.
• Risk of unforeseen expenses if maintenance needs escalate unexpectedly.

Investing in Triple Net Leases

Triple Net Leased (NNN) properties are a favored investment option for individuals seeking steady, predictable income with relatively low risk. These investments often involve high-quality commercial properties leased to a single, creditworthy tenant who assumes responsibility for most operating expenses. 

This structure provides investors with a more hands-off approach to property ownership while ensuring consistent cash flow.

The types of properties typically included in NNN investments range from office buildings and retail spaces to industrial facilities and standalone buildings occupied by banks, pharmacies, or restaurant chains. 

Commercial lease terms often span 10 to 15 years, with built-in rent escalations that provide gradual income growth over time.

Note: To invest directly in triple net lease offerings, individuals must be accredited investors—meaning they must have a net worth of at least $1 million (excluding their primary residence) or earn at least $200,000 annually ($300,000 for joint filers). However, smaller or non-accredited investors can still gain exposure to triple net lease real estate by investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) that include these properties in their portfolios.

Triple Net Lease Example

To simplify how NNN leases work for investors, let’s consider an example:

A commercial investor purchases a retail property leased to a national pharmacy chain. The lease agreement includes the following terms:

• Base Rent: $1,200,000 annually
• Recoverable Expenses Paid by Tenant:
  
  • Property Taxes: $60,000
  • Insurance: $20,000
  • Maintenance Costs: $70,000

Here’s how the annual and monthly payments break down:

In this example:

• The tenant pays the landlord a total of $112,500 per month ($100,000 in base rent plus recoverable expenses).
• The landlord benefits from a steady income while avoiding direct responsibility for operating expenses like taxes or maintenance.

Read the IRS guidance for managing tenant payable expenses as a landlords

When Should Landlords Use NNN Leases?

Triple Net Leases are particularly suited for certain types of properties and investment strategies. 

Landlords should consider using NNN leases in the following scenarios:

• Commercial Properties with Stable Long-Term Tenants: These leases work best when tenants have proven track records of reliability and financial stability.
• Investors Seeking Passive Income Streams: By transferring operational responsibilities to tenants, landlords can focus on portfolio growth rather than day-to-day management.
• Prime Locations with High Tenant Demand: In desirable areas, tenants are often willing to shoulder additional costs in exchange for access to premium spaces.

However, landlords must carefully evaluate tenant creditworthiness before entering into an NNN lease. A financially unstable tenant may struggle to meet their obligations, jeopardizing the landlord’s income stability.

When managing triple net leases, property management software like Landlord Studio can simplify tracking expenses, automating income, and storing lease terms — especially valuable when managing multiple tenants across properties.

Key Considerations When Negotiating an NNN Lease

Successful NNN lease negotiations require careful attention to key details that impact both parties. Landlords and tenants should address the following factors upfront:

• Expense Caps: Tenants often negotiate limits on specific costs, such as insurance premiums or tax increases. Establishing these caps ensures financial predictability and mitigates risks associated with rising expenses.
• Maintenance Responsibilities: Clearly define which repairs fall under the tenant’s purview versus the landlord’s. Ambiguities in this area can lead to disputes down the line.
• Lease Duration: Longer terms provide stability but may limit flexibility in adjusting rental rates over time. Both parties should weigh the trade-offs between security and adaptability.

Investing In Triple Net Leases: Final Words

Triple Net Leases (NNN) represent a powerful tool for landlords seeking reduced management responsibilities and consistent income streams. 

By transferring operating expenses like property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs to tenants, these leases create mutually beneficial arrangements—landlords enjoy predictable cash flow with minimal risk exposure, while tenants benefit from lower base rents and greater control over property upkeep. 

For both parties, understanding the nuances of NNN leases is essential to leveraging their advantages effectively in commercial real estate transactions.

Whether investing in commercial or residential rentals, it's important to have software that works for you. Property management software like Landlord Studio can help you streamline every aspect of your portfolio management, from collecting rent and tracking expenses to organizing maintenance tasks and managing tenant communications.

Create your free Landlord Studio account today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions About NNN Leases

1. What is included in NNN charges?‍

NNN charges typically include property taxes, building insurance, and common area maintenance (CAM) costs. CAM can cover expenses like landscaping, parking lot maintenance, exterior lighting, and janitorial services for shared spaces.

2. Is an NNN lease good for landlords?‍

Yes — NNN leases are often considered landlord-friendly because they shift the burden of ongoing property expenses to the tenant, creating more predictable income and fewer management responsibilities.

3. Are NNN leases risky for tenants?‍

They can be. While base rent is usually lower in NNN leases, tenants must budget for fluctuating costs like tax increases or unexpected repairs. Tenants should carefully review the lease and ask for a detailed breakdown of past NNN charges.

4. How is a NNN lease different from a gross lease?‍

In a gross lease, the landlord pays most or all operating expenses. In an NNN lease, the tenant pays those expenses separately on top of base rent. NNN leases offer lower base rent but higher potential overall costs.

5. Can NNN expenses increase over time?‍

Yes. Since NNN charges are based on actual property costs, they can increase due to rising property taxes, insurance premiums, or maintenance costs. Lease agreements may include escalation clauses to reflect these changes.

6. Who typically uses NNN leases?‍

NNN leases are commonly used in commercial real estate, especially by national retail tenants like fast food chains, convenience stores, and pharmacies. These tenants prefer long-term leases and control over the property’s maintenance.