Tenant Turnover Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost of one tenant turnover -- vacancy, cleaning, repairs, leasing fees, and marketing. Decide whether a rent discount to retain a tenant is worth it.
The Real Cost of Tenant Turnover in 2026
Most landlords dramatically underestimate the cost of tenant turnover. They see a vacant unit as a temporary inconvenience, not a $3,000-6,000 expense event. But when you add up even one month of lost rent ($2,400), professional cleaning ($400), paint touch-up and minor repairs ($800), and a leasing fee ($2,400), you are quickly at $6,000 for a single turnover. On a $2,400/month rental, that is 2.5 months of gross rent wiped out in one transition.
This calculation changes how smart landlords think about lease renewals. Renewing a good tenant at a slightly below-market rate is often better economics than maximizing rent and triggering a turnover. Use this calculator to find your exact break-even: the monthly rent discount that would equal the total turnover cost over the lease term. If your break-even is $80/month on a 2-year renewal, accepting a $50-70 discount to retain a reliable tenant is clearly the right financial decision.