Another major draw is cash flow. Depending on the state and property type, commercial property owners can pass on some or most of a property’s operating costs to tenants through the lease structure. Unlike residential property, where landlords are typically responsible for expenses such as council rates, building insurance and strata levies, many commercial leases require tenants to cover these outgoings in addition to rent. Depending on the lease, this can include council and water rates, insurance, strata levies, land tax and maintenance, potentially saving owners tens of thousands of dollars each year. While retail leases are generally subject to different rules under the Retail Leases Act, office spaces and industrial properties typically offer greater flexibility.