Example
Rent is $1,500 and the tenant moves in on October 12, 2026. October has 31 days, and the tenant has the unit for 20 of them, the 12th through the 31st. On actual days, the daily rate is $1,500 ÷ 31 = $48.39, and the prorated rent is $1,500 × 20 ÷ 31 = $967.74. With a 30-day month the same move-in costs $1,000.00, and on a 365-day year, $986.30.
In a lease it looks like…
If the term begins on a day other than the first of the month, rent for the first month shall be prorated on a daily basis using the actual number of days in that month and is due at signing.
Good to know
The lease decides the method, and the three can differ by more than $30 on a single move-in. When the lease is silent, actual days in the month is the most common method, and landlord and tenant can simply agree on one in writing before the keys change hands.
Plain English, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.