Although the details vary from country to country, a widely used rule-of-thumb says that a lease does not have to be capitalised so long as the net present value of the lease liabilities (ie, future rents) amounts to less than 90% of the value of the asset.

ECONOMIST: Commercial property

Or they will insist on shorter lease terms, which will help keep the capitalised value of the lease smaller.

ECONOMIST: Commercial property

Bad, if you are concerned about a balance sheet that depends on the value of cars coming off lease.

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