2012 Economic Census
Business Help Site
Due Date
February 12, 2013
Sector 53
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
This section provides information about census coverage and reporting for establishments in the Real Estate and Rental and Leasing sector. It includes answers to frequently asked questions about this sector and its census forms.
Establishments Covered
Real estate and rental and leasing establishments buy, sell, rent, lease or manage the use of tangible or intangible assets, or provide services related to these activities. NAICS classifies establishments in the Real Estate and Rental and Leasing sector using numbers that start with 53. Real estate services establishments are sub-classified using numbers that start with 531, tangible goods services establishments are sub-classified using numbers that start with 532, and non-financial asset leasing services establishments are sub-classified using numbers that start with 533.
The Economic Census covers all real estate and rental and leasing establishments that operated during all or part of calendar year 2012. However, note that establishments that rent or lease equipment with operators are classified in other NAICS sectors based on the services they provide and third party financing of leases is classified in NAICS sector 52, Finance and Insurance. Examples of establishments included in the Real Estate and Rental and Leasing sector are:
- Real estate services establishments that buy, sell, rent, lease or operate real estate, and provide related services such as property appraisal or escrow services. The services provided may be for real estate owned by the establishment or by others.
- Tangible goods services establishments that rent or lease a variety of tangible goods to customers in return for periodic rental or lease payments. Tangible goods may be intended for consumer or business use and include formal wear, automobiles, computers, office equipment, and industrial machinery or equipment.
- Non-financial asset leasing services establishments that assign the rights to use intangible assets in return for royalties or licensing fees paid to the asset holder. Intangible assets include trademarks, patents, brand names and franchise agreements, but do not include rights to use copyrighted works.
Census Mail Package
Real estate and rental and leasing establishments with paid employees will receive a census mail package with several types of materials. The materials are similar in content but customized to make reporting easier for different groups of real estate and rental and leasing establishments. Each establishment will receive an Information Sheet and a census form. Companies with multiple operating establishments will receive the appropriate Information Sheet for every group of similar forms, and not necessarily one Information Sheet for every form.Information Sheets provide general information about the census and instructions for reporting selected items on the census form. Single establishment businesses will receive Information Sheet RE-S_I_12 and multi-establishment businesses will receive Information Sheet RE-M_I_12.
Census Forms describe each data item for real estate, rental and leasing establishments, and provide instructions and formats for reporting them. Census forms for real estate services establishments are numbered RE-531xx, forms for tangible goods services establishments are numbered RE-532xx, and the form for non-financial asset leasing services establishments is numbered RE-53301. Six separate forms are available for use by different categories of real estate and rental and leasing services establishments (excluding any classification forms).
Questions and Forms in this Sector
The letters PDF or the 
icon indicate a document is in the Portable Document Format (PDF). To view the file you will need the Adobe® Reader, which is available for free from the Adobe web site.
icon indicate a document is in the Portable Document Format (PDF). To view the file you will need the Adobe® Reader, which is available for free from the Adobe web site.
