Rent & Move Date
Tennessee law does not mandate a specific proration method, but you must state your method in the lease and apply it consistently. The exact-days method is more accurate. The 30-day method makes the math identical every month regardless of how many days are in it.
Prorated Amount
How proration works
When a tenant moves in on any day other than the first of the month, they owe rent only for the days they actually occupied the unit. Proration divides the monthly rent by the number of days in the period to get a daily rate, then multiplies by days occupied.
For a $1,200/month unit where a tenant moves in on the 15th of March (31-day month): the daily rate is $1,200 ÷ 31 = $38.71. Days from the 15th through the 31st = 17 days. Prorated rent = $38.71 × 17 = $658.06.
Move-in vs. move-out proration
Move-in proration: tenant pays for the days from their move-in date through the end of the month. They then pay a full month starting the 1st going forward. Move-out proration: tenant only owes rent through their last day, not the full month. The calculator handles both.
Exact-days vs. 30-day method
The exact-days method divides by the actual number of days in the month (28, 29, 30, or 31). This is more precise and what most property managers use. The 30-day method always divides by 30, which simplifies the math but slightly overcharges tenants in shorter months and undercharges in longer ones. Both are legally acceptable in Tennessee — the requirement is that your lease specifies which method you use.
When does the tenant pay prorated rent?
Typically at move-in, alongside the security deposit and any other upfront fees. Do not wait until the first of the following month to collect it. Collect prorated rent and first full month's rent at lease signing so the tenant starts with a zero balance on day one.
We handle proration, lease math, and collections on every unit we manage.
No missed charges. No awkward conversations. No errors that create disputes six months later. Request a property walk and we'll show you how the numbers work for your specific units.
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