Vacancy Cost Calculator
Calculate how much vacant units cost you in lost income over time, helping you understand why minimizing vacancy is one of the most important drivers of rental performance.
Best suited for: Landlords • Property managers • Residential and commercial investors
Rental Income
Vacancy Assumptions
Turnover Costs (Optional)
Annual Lost Rent Due to Vacancy: $
Estimated Turnover Costs: $
Total Annual Vacancy Cost: $
Incorporate vacancy into returns using the Cash Flow Calculator.
Understanding Your Results
Vacancy cost represents income you never collect but expenses you often still pay.
- Lost Rent: Direct revenue loss during vacancy periods.
- Ongoing Expenses: Taxes, insurance, utilities, and debt service continue even when units are empty.
- Compounding Impact: Multiple vacancies or longer downtime magnify losses quickly.
Even short vacancies can materially reduce annual returns.
Next step (optional):
To see the full financial impact of vacancies, continue to the Tenant Turnover Cost Calculator (BPM Pro).
How This Calculator Works
This calculator multiplies monthly rent by the vacancy duration and number of vacant units to estimate lost income.
Key assumptions:
- Rent is evenly distributed across the vacancy period
- Only direct rent loss is calculated
- Make-ready and leasing costs are excluded
This tool highlights revenue loss, not total vacancy-related expense.
When to Use This Calculator
Use the Vacancy Cost Calculator when:
- Evaluating the impact of tenant turnover
- Deciding how aggressively to price or market units
- Comparing management strategies
- Planning lease renewal incentives
Common Mistakes This Tool Helps Avoid
- Underestimating the cost of even brief vacancies
- Focusing only on rent level instead of occupancy
- Delaying maintenance or marketing decisions
- Assuming vacancies are a minor issue
Related Tools
To continue your analysis, explore:
- Cash Flow Calculator – See how vacancies affect income
- Rent Affordability Calculator – Reduce vacancy risk through sustainable rent
- Tenant Turnover Cost Calculator – Measure full turnover impact (BPM Pro)
Important Note
The tools and calculators provided on this website are for informational and educational purposes only. The calculations and results are based on the information you provide and certain assumptions, and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. These tools are not intended to provide legal, financial, tax, or investment advice, and you should not rely on them as such.
The results generated by these tools do not constitute a guarantee of future performance, returns, or outcomes. Your actual results may differ significantly based on your specific circumstances, market conditions, and other factors not accounted for in these calculations.
We strongly recommend that you consult with qualified professionals—such as a financial advisor, real estate agent, accountant, or attorney—before making any financial, investment, or business decisions based on the results of these tools. Your use of these tools is entirely at your own discretion, and we are not liable for any damages, losses, or adverse consequences arising from your use of or reliance on these tools.