Rent Proration Calculator
Tenant moving in on the 15th? You don't charge full rent for half a month. But calculate it wrong and you either leave money on the table or overcharge your tenant.
Enter the move-in date. Get the exact prorated amount. Takes 10 seconds.
Calculate Prorated Rent
Enter move-in date and monthly rent to calculate prorated amount
How Rent Proration Works
Proration divides monthly rent by days in the month, then multiplies by days occupied. Simple math, but easy to mess up.
- Calendar method — Rent ÷ actual days in month (28-31). Most accurate.
- Banker's method — Rent ÷ 30. Simpler but may slightly over or undercharge.
- Include move-in day — Tenant pays for the day they get keys.
- Specify method in lease — Avoid disputes by writing it down.
Example: $1,500 rent, move-in on January 15th. Calendar method: $1,500 ÷ 31 days = $48.39/day × 17 days = $822.58. Banker's method: $1,500 ÷ 30 = $50/day × 17 days = $850.
5 Proration Mistakes That Cause Disputes
Using the wrong number of days
February has 28 days (29 in leap years). Don't divide by 30. March has 31 days. Don't divide by 30. Use the actual days in that specific month.
Forgetting to include move-in day
If the tenant moves in on the 15th, they occupy the unit for 17 days in a 31-day month (15-31), not 16. Count from move-in day through end of month.
Not documenting the calculation
Show your math on the lease. "$1,500 ÷ 31 × 17 = $822.58." This prevents arguments about where the number came from.
Collecting wrong amount at signing
Collect prorated rent for the first partial month, plus full rent for month two, plus deposits. Mixing these up causes confusion from day one.
Forgetting move-out proration
Proration applies to move-outs too. If a tenant leaves on the 10th, they owe for 10 days, not the full month. Same math in reverse.
Why Use This Calculator
No math errors
$1,800 ÷ 28 × 14 = ? Let the calculator do it. Get the exact amount every time.
Compare both methods
Toggle between calendar and banker's method to see the difference. Choose what works best for your situation.
See the daily rate
Know exactly what one day of occupancy costs. Useful for calculating refunds, late move-outs, or early terminations.
Know when full rent starts
The calculator shows when the first full month begins. No confusion about payment schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use calendar or banker's method?
Calendar method is more accurate and fair. Banker's method is simpler. Most landlords use calendar. Whatever you choose, specify it in the lease.
What if the tenant moves in on the 1st?
No proration needed. They pay full rent for that month. Proration only applies to mid-month move-ins.
Do I collect prorated rent at signing?
Yes. At lease signing, collect: prorated rent for month one, full rent for month two (if starting mid-month), plus security deposit. This ensures you're covered.
How do I prorate for a move-out?
Same formula in reverse. If a tenant vacates on the 10th, they owe for 10 days. Daily rate × 10. Refund the rest of prepaid rent.
Should I round up or down?
Round to the nearest cent. Don't round to the nearest dollar. $822.58 is $822.58, not $823 or $820. Precision avoids disputes.
Is proration required by law?
Not usually, but it's standard practice. Charging full rent for a partial month is legal in most states but will make it hard to fill your units. Tenants expect proration.