Life can be messy, and it doesn’t always fit neatly on the calendar. Chances are, at some point you’ll need to move into an apartment after the first of the month, or you’ll need to move out before the last day of the month. Does that mean you need to pay a full month’s rent even though you won’t be there the whole time?
If your lease has you moving in after the first, most landlords will prorate your down payment, or your first month’s rental payment, meaning that you only have to pay for the portion of the month that you are actually renting the apartment. Likewise, if you end up signing a lease for less than a year, you might not need to give your landlord a security deposit of a full month’s rent.
Learn what prorated rent means, when and how to request prorated rent, and how to calculate prorated rent.
- What is prorated rent?
- How is prorated rent calculated?
- How can you get prorated rent?
- When is prorated rent due?
- Prorated rent vs rent proration
- FAQs
What is prorated rent?
Prorated rent refers to the amount of rent a renter owes for a partial month’s rent. This typically happens when you moves into or out of a rental property in the middle of the month. Rather than paying the full monthly rent amount, you pay only for the portion of the month you will be living in the rental property.
So, for example, if you move in on April 15, prorated rent for the month of April would mean that you pay half of your usual monthly rate for April.
If you do move in early or rent a place for under a full year, your landlord will likely prorate your down payment or your security deposit and/or your first month’s rent.
How is prorated rent calculated?
The prorated rent amount is calculated based on the number of days a renter will be living in the rental property during the month. To calculate prorated rent, you divide the monthly rent by the number of days in the month to get a daily rental rate. Then, you multiply the daily rental rate by the number of days you will be living in the rental property during the month.
This is slightly more complicated if your rent payment date is not the first of the month. Let’s say you’re moving into your apartment on Jan. 1, but your rent payment is usually due on the 15th of each month. In this case, you’ll probably have to pay a prorated rate for the first half of January. Again, you can take the number of days in the month and divide it by your monthly rent, then add up the number of days you’ll be there before your regular monthly payments start on the 15th.
For example, if the monthly rent is $1,000 and you are moving in on the 15th of the month, you will owe prorated rent for 16 days. To calculate the prorated rent amount, you would divide $1,000 by 30 (the number of days in the month) to get a daily rental rate of $33.33. Then, you would multiply $33.33 by 16 (the number of days you will be living in the rental property during the month) to get a prorated rent amount of $533.28.
Your landlord may also calculate your prorated rate using the total number of days in the year rather than the month, especially if you sign a year-long lease. In that case, to calculate your prorated rent, you would multiply your monthly rate by 12, divide that by 365, and then multiply it by the number of days you’re going to be occupying the apartment.
Let’s say again that your rent is still $1,500 per month. If you’re calculating the prorated rate using the days in a year, then your daily rate is ($1,500 x 12)/365, or about $49. If you’re planning to leave on March 3 and need to pay for the first three days of the month, then your prorated rate would be $49 x 3, or $147.
How can I get prorated rent?
Let’s say you’re planning to move into a new apartment in the middle of the month. The first thing to know is that landlords aren’t legally obligated to offer you prorated rent rates. Many landlords do in the name of fairness or because a renter negotiated with them, but it’s not a given. So before you sign a lease, read through the agreement to see if there is any language about whether prorated rent is available. If not, check with your landlord upfront.
Even if you’re moving in on the first day of the month, you may still want to check with your landlord about their prorated rent payment policy in case you end up moving out early.
If you’re moving in or out mid-month and your landlord does not proactively offer prorated rent for that month, you may still be able to negotiate this with them. Keep in mind, however, that if prorated rent is not an explicit provision of your lease agreement, you may not get it.
For example, if your lease goes to the end of the month but you’re planning to move out a few days early, your landlord may not be willing to offer you prorated rent for that month. On the other hand, if the next renter is able to move in early because you’re leaving early, and the landlord charges them for those few days at a prorated rent, they may be willing to prorate your rent for that month too.
If you approach your landlord in a friendly and polite way, and if the situation is one in which it makes sense for prorated rent to kick in, then there’s no harm in asking your landlord for prorated rent — as long as you’re aware that she or he may say no. If you’re planning to leave before the end of your lease, make sure you give your landlord as much notice as possible so that she or he can start looking for a new renter. If your landlord has the next lease agreement signed before you leave, it’s more likely that they will agree to a prorated rent payment for your last month.
When is prorated rent due?
Prorated rent is typically due on the day the tenant moves into the rental property. This can be paid in addition to the security deposit and any other fees that are required at the time of move-in.
Determining how much your daily prorated rent will be
To calculate and determine your daily prorated rent, follow these steps:
- Identify monthly rent and start date
Begin by determining your total monthly rent amount, which is the amount you pay each month. This information should be in your lease agreement. Note the specific start date of your lease or rental agreement, as this is when you officially gain access to the property.
- Count the days
Count the total number of days in the month for which you want to calculate prorated rent. For example, if you’re moving in on the 15th of the month and want to calculate prorated rent for the remaining days of that month, you’ll need to know how many days are left in that month.
- Determine daily rate
Divide the total monthly rent by the number of days in the month to determine the daily rate. For example, if your monthly rent is $1,200 and there are 30 days in the month, the daily rate would be $1,200 / 30 = $40 per day.
- Calculate prorated rent
Multiply the daily rate by the number of days you’ll be occupying the property during that month. Using the example above, if you’re moving in on the 15th, you’ll need to calculate the prorated rent for the remaining 15 days of the month. So, $40 (daily rate) x 15 (remaining days) = $600.
- Confirm with the landlord
It’s a good practice to confirm the prorated rent amount with your landlord or property manager to ensure accuracy and avoid any misunderstandings.
It’s important to note that different landlords and property management companies may have slightly different methods for calculating prorated rent. Some may use a 30-day month for simplicity, while others may use the actual number of days in a specific month. Therefore, always refer to your lease agreement or consult with your landlord to ensure you are using the correct method for calculating prorated rent in your specific situation.
Prorated rent vs rent proration
It’s important to note that prorated rent is not the same as rent proration. Rent proration occurs when a landlord offers a discounted rental rate for a partial month’s rent. Prorated rent, on the other hand, is calculated based on the full monthly rental rate.
Before signing a lease agreement, make sure to clarify with your landlord or property manager how prorated rent will be calculated and when it is due. It’s also important to read your lease agreement carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
Frequently asked questions
No, prorated rent is not the same as rent proration. Rent proration occurs when a landlord offers a discounted rental rate for a partial month’s rent. Prorated rent, on the other hand, is calculated based on the full monthly rental rate.
Prorated rent is typically due on the day the tenant moves into the rental property. This can be paid in addition to the security deposit and any other fees that are required at the time of move-in.
Prorated rent is calculated based on the number of days a tenant will be living in the rental property during the month. To calculate prorated rent, you divide the monthly rent by the number of days in the month to get a daily rental rate. Then, you multiply the daily rental rate by the number of days the tenant will be living in the rental property during the month.
It depends on the lease agreement you have with your landlord or property manager. Some lease agreements require tenants to pay prorated rent when moving out of a rental property, while others do not.
No, a landlord cannot change the prorated rent amount once it has been agreed upon and paid by the tenant. Make sure to clarify with your landlord or property manager how prorated rent will be calculated before signing a lease agreement to avoid any misunderstandings.
If you don’t pay prorated rent, your landlord or property manager may take legal action against you to collect the unpaid rent amount. It’s important to clarify with your landlord or property manager when prorated rent is due and how it will be calculated to avoid any issues.
Final thoughts
Prorated rent can be a confusing concept for many renters, but it’s an important one to understand before signing a lease agreement. By following the guidelines we’ve provided in this guide, you can ensure that you fully understand prorated rent and avoid any misunderstandings with your landlord or property manager.
If you’re planning to move in mid-month or leave a few days before your lease ends, talk to your landlord about prorated rent payment. Then, you can search for your next apartment on Zumper and get ready for your next move.
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