Free Tool
Free Prorated Rent Calculator
Calculate exactly how much rent is owed for a partial month — for move-ins, move-outs, or mid-month lease starts. Three methods, instant results.
California requires Actual Days. Most states allow any method.
Optional
Pet deposit, parking, etc.
Prorated Rent
$1,064.52
Daily Rate
$48.39
Days Owed
22 of 31
Savings vs Full Month
$435.48
How we calculated this
Method: Actual days in May (31 days)
Daily rate: $1,500.00 / 31 days = $48.39/day
Days owed: 31 days in month - 10 + 1 (move-in day) = 22 days
Prorated rent: $48.39 x 22 days = $1,064.52
How to Calculate Prorated Rent
Prorated rent is the portion of a full month's rent a tenant owes when they move in or out mid-month. Instead of paying the full amount, you only pay for the days you actually occupy the unit. This is standard practice for landlords and tenants across all 50 states.
Three Calculation Methods
- Actual days in the month — divides rent by the actual number of days (28, 30, or 31). Most accurate and most common method.
- 30-day month — always divides by 30 regardless of the actual month. Simpler but slightly less precise. Favors tenants in shorter months, landlords in longer months.
- 365-day year — divides annual rent (monthly × 12) by 365 to get a daily rate. Used by some property management companies for consistency across all months.
When Do You Need Prorated Rent?
- Move-in mid-month — tenant pays prorated rent from their move-in date through the end of the month, then full rent starts the 1st of the following month
- Move-out mid-month — tenant pays prorated rent from the 1st through their move-out date
- Lease start date — when a lease begins on any day other than the 1st
- Early termination — when a tenant breaks their lease and moves out before the month ends
Example: Prorated Rent Calculation
Monthly rent is $1,500. Tenant moves in on March 15. March has 31 days. Using the actual-days method: $1,500 ÷ 31 = $48.39/day × 17 remaining days = $822.58 prorated rent. The tenant pays $822.58 for March, then $1,500 starting April 1st.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a landlord required to prorate rent?
In most states, there is no law requiring landlords to prorate rent. However, it is standard practice and typically specified in the lease agreement. If your lease says rent starts on the move-in date, proration is implied. Always check your lease terms.
Which proration method is best?
The actual-days method is the most common and accurate. It accounts for months with different lengths (28-31 days). The 30-day method is simpler but can create small discrepancies. Use whichever method your lease specifies — if it doesn't specify, actual days is the safest choice.
Do I also prorate the security deposit?
No. Security deposits are a fixed amount regardless of when you move in. You pay the full deposit at move-in along with the prorated first month's rent. The deposit is returned (minus deductions) when you move out.
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