An expense stop clause in a lease is primarily a benefit for ______.

An expense stop clause in a lease is primarily a benefit for the lessor. This clause establishes a limit on the amount of operating expenses that the lessor will cover. Once expenses exceed this predetermined threshold (the "stop"), the lessee is responsible for any additional costs.

This arrangement protects the lessor from rising operating expenses, as they will not be liable for covering costs beyond the agreed stop. It provides a measure of predictability for the lessor's financial obligations, which can be critical in maintaining profitability, especially in commercial leasing scenarios where operating costs can fluctuate.

In contrast, the lessee might face increased costs if operating expenses rise significantly above the stop, thus making the arrangement less favorable for them. The appraiser and sublessee do not directly benefit from the expense stop clause in the same way that the lessor does, as their interests are not primarily tied to the operating expenses of the leased property.