Vacancy Cost Calculator
Every day a unit sits empty costs one day of rent. Add turnover, utilities and marketing to see what a vacancy really costs.
Vacancy Cost Calculator
Enter your numbers; the result appears here.
Have a question about your situation, want tips, or need a referral? Email the CLRC team at [email protected]. We share general information, not legal advice, and we’re not a law firm.
Lost rent = daily rent × days vacant
Total cost = lost rent + turnover + utilities × (days ÷ 30) + marketing
How to use it
The cost of a vacancy is lost rent plus the costs of getting the unit ready and rented. Seen this way, small changes (faster turnover, a short repair list, early marketing before the tenant leaves) can pay for themselves. Check your local rent rules before you change the asking rent for a new tenant.
Worked example
Rent $3,200/month, 28 days vacant: daily rent = $3,200 × 12 ÷ 365 = $105.21; lost rent = $2,946. With $800 turnover, $150/month utilities ($140 prorated) and $100 marketing, the total is $3,986.
Rent assumptions must respect the statewide rent cap and any local rent-control or just-cause rules. Use the free rent increase calculator and check your county page before you plan on a rent increase. Vacancy and turnover also depend on notice and deposit timing: see the notice date calculator and deposit calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use 365 or 30 days?
This tool uses monthly rent × 12 ÷ 365 for a daily rate. Some people use rent ÷ 30; the difference is small.
What vacancy rate should I assume in a cap-rate calculation?
Use your actual history if you have it, or ask local property managers. A 5% allowance is common as a starting point, not a rule.
Sources
- Civ. Code § 1947.12 (statewide rent cap)
- California Attorney General: limits on rent increases
- California DRE: Landlord-Tenant guide
This tool applies general California rules to the dates you enter. It cannot see your lease, your city’s ordinance or the facts of your situation. Check your local rent rules and consult a qualified attorney before you serve a notice or withhold a deposit. Read the disclaimer.