The daily rate method, 30-day method, move-out proration, and worked examples for any monthly rent amount.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Prorated rent is a partial month's rent charged when a tenant moves in or out on a date other than the first of the month. Instead of paying a full month's rent for a period they did not fully occupy, the tenant pays only for the actual days of occupancy.
Prorating is standard practice for both move-ins and move-outs. Neither federal law nor most state laws specifically require proration, but it is universally considered fair and is the industry standard. Always specify proration terms in the lease agreement to avoid future disputes.
Divide monthly rent by the actual number of days in the month to get the daily rate, then multiply by days occupied.
Formula: (Monthly Rent / Days in Month) x Days Occupied = Prorated Rent
Example -- Moving in March 15: Monthly rent $1,500. March has 31 days. Tenant occupies days 15 through 31 = 17 days.
This method is the most mathematically precise because it reflects the actual number of days in the month.
Always divide monthly rent by 30, regardless of the actual number of days in the month. This keeps the daily rate consistent year-round.
Formula: (Monthly Rent / 30) x Days Occupied = Prorated Rent
Example -- Moving in March 15: Monthly rent $1,500. Tenant occupies 17 days.
This method slightly favors landlords in short months and slightly favors tenants in long months. It is less precise but simpler to calculate.
| Monthly Rent | Move-In Day | Days Occupied (31-day month) | Prorated Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | 10th | 22 | $709.68 |
| $1,000 | 15th | 17 | $548.39 |
| $1,500 | 15th | 17 | $822.58 |
| $2,000 | 15th | 17 | $1,096.77 |
| $1,500 | 20th | 12 | $580.65 |
| $2,500 | 20th | 12 | $967.74 |
When a tenant vacates before month's end, whether the final month is prorated depends on the lease terms. If the lease requires a full calendar month notice, the tenant typically pays a full final month's rent even if they leave early.
If the lease allows for a prorated final month, apply the same daily rate method: (Monthly Rent / Days in Month) x Days Occupied in Final Month = Final Month Charge.
Example: Rent is $1,800/month. Tenant moves out March 20. March has 31 days. Final month charge: $1,800 / 31 x 20 = $1,161.29.
Enter your monthly rent, move-in date, and number of days in the month. Get the exact prorated rent in seconds using the daily rate method.
Open Prorated Rent CalculatorNo federal or state law specifically requires landlords to prorate rent, but it is universally considered fair and is the industry standard. Always specify proration terms in the lease agreement to prevent disputes.
Most landlords count the move-in day as a full day of occupancy. Move-out day conventions vary; some landlords count it, others do not. Clarify this in the lease to avoid misunderstandings.
Divide the monthly rent by 28 (or 29 in a leap year) rather than 31. This slightly increases the daily rate compared to longer months, which is mathematically correct under the daily rate method.