Finance category

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Tenant Turnover Cost Calculator

Add up the real cost of a tenant turnover: lost rent during vacancy, make-ready (cleaning, paint, flooring, appliances), and re-leasing (marketing, leasing fee, screening).

Vacancy

Monthly rent

Vacancy days

Make-ready

Cleaning & repairs

Paint

Carpet / flooring

Appliances

Re-leasing

Marketing

Leasing fee (PM commission)

often 50–100% of one month rent

Screening cost (if absorbed)

Total turnover cost

$5,908

2.7 months of rent

Lost rent during vacancy

$2,053

Make-ready costs

$1,400

Re-leasing costs

$2,455

Why turnover is so expensive

A turnover that lands at 2.7 months of rent is normal in many markets. That's why retaining a good tenant — even at slightly below-market rent — is often more profitable than chasing a small rent bump that triggers a turnover.

The cheapest move is reducing turnover frequency: respond fast to maintenance, communicate well, and offer a small renewal incentive to retain tenants who pay on time.

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 Turnover Cost Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for tenant turnover cost. Add up the real cost of a tenant turnover: lost rent during vacancy, make-ready (cleaning, paint, flooring, appliances), and re-leasing (marketing, leasing fee, screening). 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 turnover cost 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 turnover cost 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 and the days the unit will be vacant between tenants.
Itemize make-ready costs: cleaning/repairs, paint, carpet/flooring, appliances.
Enter re-leasing costs: marketing, your property manager's leasing fee (often 50–100% of one month's rent), and any screening costs you absorb.
Read the total — and compare to the rent bump you'd give up by retaining the existing tenant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a typical turnover cost?

1.5–3 months of rent is common in most US markets. Higher in tight rental markets (long vacancy), lower in fast-leasing markets with low turnover prep needed.

Should I bump rent and risk a turnover?

Run the math: a $100/mo rent increase on a stable tenant earns $1,200/year. A turnover often costs $4,000–$8,000. Bumping rent is worth it only if the tenant will accept it or if you're behind market by a meaningful amount.

How do I reduce turnover frequency?

Respond fast to maintenance, communicate clearly, screen for tenants planning long stays, and offer modest renewal incentives (small rent freeze, free carpet cleaning, gift card).

Is the leasing fee worth it?

If a property manager handles leasing, the leasing fee is the price of someone else doing the work. If you self-manage, the 'leasing fee' is your time — count it honestly when comparing PM costs to DIY.