The three primary commercial lease categories differ mainly based on what aspect?

The correct choice focuses on how expenses such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are handled within different types of commercial leases. The three primary categories of commercial leases—gross leases, net leases, and modified gross leases—are distinguished by the allocation of these costs between the landlord and the tenant.

In a gross lease, the landlord typically covers all expenses associated with the property, meaning the tenant pays a fixed rent amount without worrying about additional costs for property taxes, insurance, or maintenance. Conversely, in net leases (which can be single, double, or triple net), the tenant is responsible for some or all of these expenses, leading to a variable total cost that can change based on the property's operating expenses. Modified gross leases combine elements of both, where the landlord covers certain costs while the tenant takes on others, but not all.

Understanding this differentiation is vital for tenants and landlords in commercial real estate, as it directly impacts the financial obligations and overall lease structure. The other options—length of the lease, rent payment frequency, and type of property—can vary widely across various lease agreements, but the handling of expenses is the fundamental characteristic that distinguishes the primary lease categories.