For those living and working outside of the commercial real estate industry, a “cam” is easy to define. You have one on your phone (or do you have a phone on your cam?). A “cam” could also have to do with an internal combustion engine. However, for those who live and work in the world of commercial real estate (CRE), a “cam” generally means something quite different.
In the CRE biz, an industry that clearly loves its acronyms, “CAM” refers to common area maintenance charges, which are often reviewed through a CAM audit. These audits are needed in order to address potential overcharges, which can lead to angry tenants and possible vacancy risks. CRE pros know that CAM audits should be performed regularly, especially for those investing in retail properties.
What Are CAM Audits?
“CAM” stands for common area maintenance. As the name implies, CAM audits involve reviewing the charges associated with common area maintenance, such as expenses related to parking lots, utilities, landscaping and other shared spaces. These charges come into play if there is a CAM provision on the contract requiring the tenant to pay their fair share of related expenses. To fairly identify needs, costs and financial responsibilities, a CAM audit will provide an objective viewpoint on what is needed.
CAM Audit Benefits
Depending on the terms of the lease, a CAM audit may be available to the tenant. But that doesn’t mean it’s only of value to the tenant. You actually enjoy several benefits as an investor or owner whenever a CAM audit is performed. These perks might include:
- Avoid overpayments (or paying twice) on CAM expenses
- It’s easier to calculate each party’s share of the expenses
- You can verify capital costs
- A third party double-checks your maintenance information
- It’s easier to negotiate caps and future contracts
These are just a few of the benefits of a CAM audit. However, with the right CRE software solution, there’s so much more for you to appreciate.
Maximizing CAM Audits With CRE Software
Once you’re done with your CAM audit, then what? Many choose to store them physically, but if you keep information related to audit findings, repair tracking and maintenance requests, you will be able to better understand your CAM requirements and improve client satisfaction.
Ultimately, every CRE professional wants to protect their buildings and assets. You can do exactly that by providing all the information you need to make quick and easy decisions. This automated data can then be made available to your team across multiple platforms and in real time.
The right CRE software is likely one of the most important tools that an industry professional can have. If you’re looking for proven software that can easily track, organize and even schedule your CAM audits, then you’re exactly where you need to be. Quarem’s free, no-obligation demo is just a click away.
Last Updated: May 26, 2026
