Calculator
What does an empty rental actually cost?
Vacancy is the single most expensive line item in any portfolio rental. Most owners under-estimate the true cost because they only count lost rent. Run the numbers.
Industry standard is 50–100% of one month’s rent.
Estimated cost of this vacancy
$5,264
Total out-of-pocket cost while the unit sits empty.
- Lost rent (45 days)$4,200
- Re-leasing / placement fee$1,400
- Less: Mgmt fee saved while vacant− $336
Rough estimate. Actual cost varies with utility carry, property tax carry, and damage from a delayed turnover. Use as a directional number for owner conversations.
How the math works.
Vacancy cost is more than lost rent. It’s lost rent plus the re-leasing fee on the next placement, minus the management fee you don’t pay while the unit is empty (most managers charge as a % of rent collected).
Total vacancy cost = (daily rent × days vacant) + re-leasing fee − saved mgmt fee
Daily rent assumes a 30-day month. Re-leasing fee in this calculator is expressed as a percentage of one month’s rent; 50–100% is industry standard for full-service placement.
What this calculator does not include
- Property tax carry while vacant
- Utility carry (heat, water, hydro the owner pays during vacancy)
- Insurance premium adjustments for vacant properties
- Damage from a delayed turnover (frozen pipes, theft, vandalism)
- Opportunity cost of capital tied up in a non-performing asset
These items typically add another 15–30% to the headline number. The calculator is a directional figure for owner conversations, not an audited cost.
Engagement
Want to shorten your next vacancy?
Median time to lease across our active markets is 18 to 26 days. We can give you a written projection for your property.