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The three ways to prorate
Days in that month divides the rent by 28, 29, 30 or 31, so the daily rate changes from month to month but a full month always costs the full rent.
365-day year spreads a year of rent across every day, so the daily rate is the same all year. For $1,800 a month it is $59.18 a day.
30-day month treats every month as 30 days. It is simple to work out by hand, and the calculator caps it at the full rent so a 31-day month never costs more than a full month.
Put it in writing
Write the prorated amount and the dates it covers into the lease or a move-in letter, and post it as its own charge on the rent ledger. Rentra reads the rent and the lease dates from the signed lease and charges rent on schedule, and it keeps the ledger for you. See rent collection.
Questions
How do I prorate rent?
Find the daily rate, then multiply it by the days the tenant has the unit. The most common daily rate is the monthly rent divided by the number of days in that month. For a $1,800 rent and a move-in on March 18, that is 14 of 31 days, or $812.90.
Does the move-in day count?
Usually yes. The tenant has the keys that day, so the calculator counts it. On a move-out, the tenant pays through the last day they have the unit. If your lease says otherwise, follow the lease.
Which method should I use?
Use the one your lease names. If it names none, days in the month is the easiest to explain because the result matches the calendar. The 30-day method charges a little more in short months like February and a little less in 31-day months.
Do I have to prorate rent?
Not always. Many states leave it to the lease, so you could instead start the lease on the 1st or collect a full first month. Prorating is common because it lets every later payment fall on the 1st. Check your state's rules and the lease before you decide.