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Prorated Rent Calculator
Moving in mid-month? Enter the monthly rent and the move-in date to get the rent due for the first partial month, the daily rate and the days charged — then write it into thelease agreement as a clause.
Prorated first month
Write the lease with this figure as a clause — freeEnter the rent and the move-in date to see the prorated amount. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Two ways to prorate
- Days in the month. Rent ÷ days in that month × days occupied. $1,500 with a move-in on the 16th of a 30-day month: 1,500 ÷ 30 = $50/day × 15 days = $750.
- 365-day year. Rent × 12 ÷ 365 × days occupied. Same example: $49.32/day × 15 days = $739.73. The daily rate does not change from month to month.
Whichever you use, write it down. Related: the rent receipt for the first payment and the deposit return calculator for move-out.
Frequently asked questions
How is prorated rent calculated?
Take the monthly rent, work out a daily rate, and multiply by the number of days the tenant actually occupies the unit in that month (move-in day included). The common “days in month” method divides the rent by the number of days in that specific month (28–31). The “365-day” method uses rent × 12 ÷ 365 as the daily rate, which is the same every month.
Which method should I use?
Either is fine as long as the lease says which one applies. Days-in-month is the most intuitive and the one most landlords use; the 365-day method gives a slightly different figure in short or long months. The lease clause our generator inserts states the method explicitly so there is no argument later.
Is the move-in day counted?
Yes — the tenant has the keys that day, so it is a chargeable day. Moving in on the 15th of a 30-day month means 16 days are charged (15th through 30th).
Is the landlord required to prorate?
Generally proration is a matter of agreement, not law: a landlord could ask for a full month even for a late-month move-in, and a tenant can negotiate. Some local rules or lease forms address it. Writing the prorated figure into the lease is the simplest way to make it binding on both sides.
What about the last month?
The same arithmetic applies in reverse if a lease ends mid-month: daily rate × days occupied. Many leases run to the end of a month precisely to avoid this, so check the end date before assuming a partial last month.
Does prorating change the security deposit?
No. The deposit is a separate amount, usually based on the full monthly rent, and is subject to your state’s deposit limits and return deadlines rather than to the prorated first month.
General information and arithmetic, not legal advice. Proration is usually a matter of agreement; local rules may apply.