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  1. Glossary
  2. Accounting & Finance
  3. Break-Even Occupancy
Accounting & Finance B

Break-Even Occupancy

Also known as: Breakeven Occupancy, Breakeven Occupancy Ratio

An estimated occupancy threshold at which property income covers the costs included in a stated operating model.

Break-even occupancy estimates the occupancy level at which property income covers the costs included in an operating model. A common calculation adds operating expenses and debt service, divides that total by potential gross income, and multiplies by 100.

Use costs and income from the same period and state the model's assumptions. This income-based estimate is not observed unit occupancy or a guaranteed cash result. Different unit rents, concessions, and collection gaps can make a unit-count occupancy rate differ from the modeled threshold.

Source: Wall Street Prep, Breakeven Occupancy Ratio, Formula.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does break-even occupancy prove that every cash need is covered?

No. It covers only the costs included in the model. Separate cash needs must be identified before interpreting the result.

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Related Terms

  • Operating Expense
  • Debt Service
  • Occupancy Rate

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Accounts Payable

Accounts payable are unpaid vendor balances for goods or services bought on credit.

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Additional Rent

Charges billed to a commercial or residential tenant beyond base rent, including CAM reconciliations, property taxes, insurance, and late fees.

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Amortization

Loan amortization is the repayment of principal over time through scheduled payments that also cover interest.

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Bad Debt Reserve & Delinquency Aging

The accounting methodology categorizing past-due receivables into 30/60/90-day aging buckets and provisioning an allowance for uncollectable rent.

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Base Year & Gross Up Provision

A commercial lease provision adjusting variable operating expenses to reflect 95-100% occupancy to ensure equitable pass-through billings.

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