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Tenant Default Loss Calculator

A single tenant default often costs 6-8 months of rent — not just the unpaid months. This calculator stacks unpaid rent, eviction legal fees, property damage, make-ready cost, and post-eviction vacancy, then nets security deposit. The number is what rent guarantee insurance should actually cover.

Monthly rent

Unpaid rent months before eviction

Eviction legal cost

Property damage repair

Vacancy before re-lease

Make-ready turn cost

Security deposit kept

Net loss after deposit

$17,400

Total gross loss

$19,800

Unpaid rent during tenancy

$6,000

Vacancy loss post-eviction

$3,600

Security deposit applied

$2,400

How the math works

Tenant default isn't just unpaid rent — it stacks. 2.5 months unpaid (while you evict), eviction legal fees, property damage, a turn to get the unit re-rented, plus 1-2 months of vacancy before a new tenant moves in. Total cost is often 6-8 months of rent.

Security deposits rarely cover the full loss. A 1-month deposit on a 2.5-month default-plus-damage case leaves the landlord materially out of pocket — which is why rent guarantee insurance and thorough screening matter.

Editorial noteMaintained by EveryCalc - Reviewed June 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

How this calculator works

What this page estimates

This Tenant Default Loss Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for tenant default loss. A single tenant default often costs 6-8 months of rent — not just the unpaid months. This calculator stacks unpaid rent, eviction legal fees, property damage, make-ready cost, and post-eviction vacancy, then nets security deposit. The number is what rent guarantee insurance should actually cover. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.

Calculation approach

The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.

Example workflow

For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.

Practical checks

Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.

How to interpret the tenant default loss result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this tenant default loss estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

How to Use

Enter monthly rent.
Enter unpaid months and eviction legal cost.
Enter property damage and turn / make-ready cost.
Enter vacancy months until re-lease.
Enter security deposit kept.
Read net loss after deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pursue judgment?

Yes, but collection is hard. Even with a judgment, tenants often disappear or are judgment-proof. Most landlords write off losses and move on — collection agencies recover 5-15% of judgments.

Why does vacancy matter?

Post-eviction vacancy is a real cost — 1-2 months of zero rent while you repair and re-lease. In soft markets this can stretch to 3+ months. Always budget vacancy as part of default loss.

Insurance coverage?

Rent guarantee insurance (RGI) covers 6 months of lost rent + eviction costs. Damage is typically excluded — it's handled by landlord insurance or security deposit.