Which type of lease would most likely include utilities and maintenance in the rent?

A gross lease is commonly used in commercial real estate agreements, where the tenant pays a fixed rental amount that includes all operating expenses such as utilities, maintenance, property taxes, and insurance. This type of lease simplifies budgeting for tenants, as they do not need to worry about fluctuating operating costs throughout the lease term; they can focus on their business operations without the added concern of variable expenses.

In contrast, a net lease typically holds the tenant responsible for some or all of the property's operating expenses in addition to their base rent. Thus, tenants face potential increases in rent due to fluctuating costs. An open lease is not a standard type of lease and typically refers to agreements with fewer restrictions, which wouldn’t specifically delineate utilities and maintenance inclusions. An exclusive lease usually pertains to the rights of a tenant to be the only one operating in a specific manner or business category within a property, rather than defining rental terms related to expenses.

Thus, a gross lease is the most beneficial for tenants who prefer their rent to encompass all associated costs, providing them with more predictability and less administrative burden.