Rental Vacancy Rate Calculator

How much is vacancy actually costing your portfolio?

What is this? Vacancy is the single largest "phantom expense" landlords overlook. A unit sitting empty for 4 weeks/year sounds minor — but that's 8.3% of potential income gone. Add turnover costs (cleaning, repairs, marketing) and vacancy can eat 12-15% of your gross rent.

Industry benchmarks: Well-managed single-family: 3-5% vacancy. Average rental: 5-8%. High-turnover multi-family: 8-12%.

Who it's for: Landlords evaluating whether to lower rents (faster leasing) vs. holding out for higher rent.
Your Units
Vacancy Cost Summary
Annual Vacancy Loss
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Turnover Cost/Year
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Total Vacancy Cost
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Effective Vacancy Rate
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Cost Per Unit/Year
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vs National Average
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Estimates based on averages. Actual vacancy varies by market, property, and management.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a normal vacancy rate?

5-8% for single-family homes is normal. 8-12% for multi-family. 0% vacancy sounds great but means you're probably underpriced. Budget for 1 month vacancy per year for single-family.

How do I reduce vacancy?

Price competitively (check comparable rents weekly). Respond to inquiries within hours. Use professional photography. List on multiple platforms. Consider a move-in special instead of permanent rent cuts. Make the property easy to show.

Should I offer month-to-month leases?

Month-to-month gives flexibility but attracts transient tenants. 12-month leases provide stability. Offer a slight discount for annual leases (2-5%) compared to month-to-month. Always have a lease — verbal agreements have no legal standing.