What is Prorated Rent?
Prorated rent is the portion of a month’s rent that a tenant owes when they occupy a rental property for only part of the month. Instead of paying the full monthly rent, the tenant pays only for the days they actually live there.
This commonly happens when a tenant moves in on a date other than the 1st of the month, or when a tenant moves out before the end of the month. The prorated amount is calculated by dividing the monthly rent by the number of days in that month, then multiplying by the number of days the tenant occupies the property.
Move-In Scenario
Tenant moves in on March 15th. Rent is $1,500/month. March has 31 days.
Prorated rent: (1,500 ÷ 31) × 17 = $822.58
Move-Out Scenario
Tenant moves out on August 10th. Rent is $1,200/month. August has 31 days.
Prorated rent: (1,200 ÷ 31) × 10 = $387.10
The Prorated Rent Formula
The standard formula is simple:
Prorated Rent = (Monthly Rent ÷ Days in Month) × Days Occupied
Days in Month is determined by the actual calendar month. Use 28, 29, 30, or 31 days depending on the month (February may have 28 or 29).
Days Occupied depends on the situation:
- Moving in: Count from the move-in date to the end of the month (inclusive).
- Moving out: Count from the 1st of the month to the move-out date (inclusive).
How to Calculate Prorated Rent Manually
If you prefer to do it by hand, follow these steps:
- Determine the number of days in the rental month.
- Divide the monthly rent by that number to get the daily rate.
- Count the number of days the tenant will occupy the property.
- Multiply the daily rate by the days occupied.
Example: Move-In on July 20th
Monthly rent: $1,800 · July has 31 days · Occupied: 12 days (July 20–31)
Daily rate: 1,800 ÷ 31 = $58.06
Prorated rent: 58.06 × 12 = $696.77
Tips for Tenants and Landlords
Always confirm the calculation with your lease or state laws. Some leases may specify a different method (e.g., 30-day month).
Use the correct number of days in the month. Some months may technically be a bit more “expensive” than others.
Get it in writing. If prorating, make sure both parties agree on the amount before moving in or out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these when prorating rent:
- Using a 30-day month when the actual month has 31 days.
- Counting the move-in day incorrectly (should be inclusive).
- Forgetting to include utilities or additional fees in the prorated amount (if applicable).
- Not considering leap years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is prorated rent calculated for a 30-day month?
For a 30-day month, divide the monthly rent by 30 to get the daily rate, then multiply by the days occupied. Example: $900 rent ÷ 30 = $30/day. If occupied 10 days: 30 × 10 = $300.
Does prorated rent include weekends?
Yes. Prorated rent is based on calendar days, so weekends are included in the count of occupied days.
Can a landlord refuse to prorate rent?
Landlords may not be legally required to prorate rent in many jurisdictions. Some landlords prorate as a courtesy, especially for move-ins. Always check your lease agreement and local regulations.
How do you prorate rent for February in a leap year?
Use 29 days for February in a leap year. For example, if rent is $1,450 and you occupy 12 days in February: 1,450 ÷ 29 = $50/day; 50 × 12 = $600.