Prorated Rent Calculator California Law

Prorated Rent Formula:

\[ \text{Prorated Rent} = \left( \frac{\text{Monthly Rent}}{\text{Days in Month}} \right) \times \text{Days Occupied} \]

Prorated Rent (USD):

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1. What is Prorated Rent?

Prorated rent is a calculation that determines the amount of rent a tenant owes when they move in or out partway through a rental period. Under California law, landlords must prorate rent when tenants don't occupy the unit for an entire month.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard prorated rent formula:

\[ \text{Prorated Rent} = \left( \frac{\text{Monthly Rent}}{\text{Days in Month}} \right) \times \text{Days Occupied} \]

Where:

Monthly Rent — The full month's rent amount
Days in Month — Total days in the month (28-31)
Days Occupied — Number of days the tenant will occupy the unit

Explanation: This calculation divides the monthly rent by the number of days in the month to get a daily rate, then multiplies by the number of days the tenant will actually occupy the unit.

3. Importance Under California Law

Details: California Civil Code Section 1947 requires landlords to prorate rent when tenants move in or out mid-month. The calculation must be based on the actual number of days in the month, not a flat 30-day calculation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the full monthly rent amount, the total days in the month (28, 29, 30, or 31), and the number of days the tenant will occupy the unit. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is prorated rent required by law in California?
A: Yes, California law requires landlords to prorate rent when tenants don't occupy the unit for a full month.

Q2: What if the lease specifies a different calculation method?
A: The legal requirement takes precedence over lease terms. Any lease provision that contradicts California law is unenforceable.

Q3: How are partial days handled?
A: Typically, any day the tenant has possession counts as a full day, even if they move in late or move out early.

Q4: Does this apply to security deposits too?
A: No, security deposits are handled separately and aren't prorated in the same way.

Q5: What if the landlord refuses to prorate rent?
A: Tenants can file a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs or consult a tenant rights organization.