Course Description
Presenter: Mike McConnell, CPM®, RPA
Build a strong foundation in operating expense recovery by learning how to interpret lease language and apply it accurately in your day-to-day property management work. In this course, Mike McConnell introduces the core principles of the recovery process, with a focus on using the lease as your primary guide.
You’ll explore how to interpret key lease provisions, understand different lease structures, and develop the tools needed to administer operating expense recoveries consistently and accurately. Real-world examples help reinforce best practices and give you the confidence to apply concepts in practical scenarios.
The course also covers essential industry terminology, common lease types, and the role of tenant databases and expense pools in supporting an effective recovery process. By the end, you’ll be equipped with a structured approach to ensure recoveries align with lease requirements and industry standards.
Learning objectives:
- Gain foundational knowledge to administer operating expense recoveries
- Define key terminology, including operating expenses, CAM, pass-throughs, reconciliations, and recoverable vs. non-recoverable expenses
- Differentiate between gross, net, and semi-gross lease types
- Identify relevant lease provisions and organize them into expense pools
Mike McConnell is a real estate professional with more than 35 years of experience managing and leasing a variety of property types, with a specialty in commercial office properties. He is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management’s faculty and also teaches courses for BOMI.
Following his retirement from Highwoods Properties, where he served as Director of Asset Management in Orlando, Mike has provided operating expense consulting services and led educational programs for industry associations and private organizations. He holds the Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) and Real Property Administrator (RPA) designations and has published articles in the Journal of Property Management.
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