We do not always move into a new apartment exactly on the first day of the month. When it happens that your move falls in the middle of the month, you may want to ask for a prorated rent.

So, what is a prorated rent?

A prorated rent refers to the partial rent that you, as a renter, will pay for not having stayed for a full month when you first moved in, or you were asked to move out of your apartment before the last day of the month.

Prorated rent shows renters how flexible and above board the landlord in matters like this one. As for the tenants, prorated rent makes sure that they are not paying more than they have actually used.

How do you compute a prorated rent?

One of the most common ways of calculating prorated rent is by using 365 days method. Calculate first the yearly rent by multiplying the monthly rent by 12. Then, divide that number by 365. After that, multiply the result by the number of days that you still owe on your rent.

Another way to do it is by using the number of days in a month method. To compute utilizing this method, divide the monthly rent by the number of days in the involved month. Then multiple the resulting amount by the number of days you are going to pay for.

When to ask for a prorated rent?

If you are moving into your new apartment or moving out on any day other than the first of the month, you may request a prorated rent. In general, landlords will proactively offer a prorated rent.

Read also: Basic Tenant Rights You Need to Know

You may also want to check your lease agreement about provisions for prorated rent. If prorate rent is not stipulated in your agreement, then you need to ask your landlord about it.

However, you also need to think if asking for a prorated rent would be fair for you both. If, for example, you were already given permission to stay in your apartment until the end of the month, but you chose to leave early, then paying the full amount is considered fair enough. A prorated rent is also appropriate if you were asked to move out early.

Also, you may check with local and state landlord/tenant laws to help you determine if there are provisions that could be applied to your situation.

How should you ask for prorated rent?

Ask for it politely, and it is best to do it in writing, keeping in mind that your letter of request does not guarantee the results you are expecting will happen. Be specific and include all the pertinent details in your letter.

Life is unpredictable. As much as you want it to be less complicated, situations may force you to change your plans, such as moving in or out earlier than planned. So, it is best to have prorated rent cleared up with your new landlord before signing your lease agreement.