Prorated Rent Calculator
Calculate fair daily rent for mid-month move-ins and move-outs across all legal US lease calculation methods.
For 17 days of occupancy (Oct 15 - Oct 31)
The Complete Guide to Prorating Rent
Moving into an apartment mid-month? Here is how daily rent calculations work across all major US residential leasing standards.
The 3 Legal Methods for Prorating Rent
Depending on your landlord's lease language or state civil code, one of three mathematical formulas applies:
Prorated = Daily × Occupied Days
The standard US residential model (endorsed by HUD). In a 31-day month like October, daily rate is lower than in February.
Prorated = Daily × Occupied Days
Treats every month as exactly 30 days. Common in commercial leases and older legacy property management software.
Prorated = Daily × Occupied Days
Required by statute under specific landlord-tenant codes in California and Texas when proration is disputed in court.
Worked Example: Moving In on October 18th ($2,400 / mo Rent)
Let's calculate the exact move-in balance owed using the Exact Calendar Days standard:
- Total days in October = 31 days.
- Daily rent rate = $2,400 ÷ 31 = $77.42 per day.
- Days of occupancy = October 18 through October 31 (inclusive) = 14 days.
- Prorated rent due = 14 days × $77.419 = $1,083.87.
Tip: Most landlords will collect this $1,083.87 alongside the security deposit at lease signing, after which your standard full rent of $2,400 begins on November 1st.
Prorated Rent FAQs
How do you calculate prorated rent for a partial month?
Divide full monthly rent by the total number of days in that specific calendar month to determine your daily rent rate. Then multiply the daily rate by the number of days you actually occupy the property (including move-in day).
Do you include the move-in day when calculating prorated rent?
Yes. In virtually all US residential lease contracts, the day you receive keys and gain legal possession of the rental counts as a full day of occupancy and is included in the prorated billing.
What is the 30-day banker proration method?
The 30-day method divides monthly rent by 30 regardless of whether the month has 28, 29, 30, or 31 days. While common in commercial real estate and some corporate property managers, most standard residential leases use the exact calendar days method.
Is a landlord legally required to prorate rent in the US?
Most landlords voluntarily prorate rent when a tenant moves in mid-month. However, when moving out, state laws vary: in many states, if you give notice to vacate on the 15th of the month, your landlord may still require payment for the entire calendar month unless your lease specifically agrees to mid-month proration.