How is the rent determined in a percentage lease?

In a percentage lease, the rent is typically structured to include a base rent component along with a percentage of the tenant's gross sales. This means that as the tenant's sales increase, so does the amount of rent they pay. The percentage rent model aligns the interests of both the landlord and tenant, as it incentivizes the landlord to support the tenant's business success, understanding that higher sales will lead to higher rent revenue.

The base rent component provides a guaranteed income for the landlord, while the percentage of gross sales allows them to benefit directly from the tenant's performance. This arrangement is particularly common in retail settings, where sales can vary significantly. Thus, the defining characteristic of a percentage lease is that it is directly tied to the tenant's financial performance, making option C the correct answer.