Vacancy rates can be an extremely useful metric to assess rental properties, which is why they’re featured in many rental property calculators. They serve as a barometer that indicates the percentage of unoccupied units within a property, portfolio, or broader market. This metric not only reflects the demand for rental spaces but also influences strategic decisions on pricing.
Calculate Rental Property Vacancy Rate
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Vacancy Rate Calculator
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Understanding Vacancy Rates – Good vs Bad
It is important to keep in mind that vacancy rates can be highly subjective to each property type and market. Vacancy rates range on a scale from 0%-100%. Below we take a look at the comparisons to better understand what a higher number vs lower number could imply.
| High “Bad” Vacancy Rate | Low “Good” Vacancy Rate |
|---|---|
| Reduced rental income due to unoccupied units | Steady and consistent rental income |
| Increased marketing expenses to attract tenants | Lower marketing expenses due to higher demand |
| Potentially indicates overpriced rent or less desirable area | Indicates competitive pricing or a desirable location |
| Higher likelihood of property wear and tear (from frequent tenant turnover) | Steady, long-term tenants leading to reduced wear and tear |
| May result in lower resale value of the property | Generally contributes to a higher property resale value |
Rental Property Vacancy Rate Formulas
There are 3 industry standard vacancy rates for rental properties. Market Vacancy rate is usually an average of a given area, whereas Physical Vacancy Rate and Economic Vacancy rate can be calculated by the mathematical formulas noted below.
3 Types of Vacancy Rate
Physical Vacancy Rate
Physical vacancy rate is the amount of time a rental property remained vacant in a year.
Physical Vacancy Rate = Number of Days Vacant1 ∕ 365 Days per Year
- Number of Days Vacant – This is the number of days within a year, that a there has been a vacancy
Economic Vacancy Rate
Economic vacancy rate is the total gross potential rent of the property that’s been lost within a year.
Economic Vacancy Rate (%) = Lost Rental Income1 ∕ Gross Potential Income2
- Lost Rental Income – Lost Rental Income refers to the income that was not realized through having vacancy. It can be calculated by subtracting Total Potential Rental Income (Income that the property would generate if all units were rented at market rates without any concessions) – Actual Rental Income (Income that the property actually generates, considering vacancies, concessions, and uncollected rents).
- Gross Potential Income – This is the income that the property would generate if all units were rented at market rates without any concessions.
Market Vacancy Rate
Market vacancy refers to the percentage of unoccupied rental units in a specific real estate market or area, compared to the total number of available rental units. This number is usually derived from crowdsourced data within a given market.
Vacancy Rate Calculation Example
Suppose your single-family rental sat empty for 22 days this year between tenants while you completed the turn and screened applicants. The physical vacancy rate calculation would be:
22 Days Vacant ÷ 365 Days = 6% Physical Vacancy Rate
That’s a healthy figure for most markets, and modest vacancy isn’t automatically bad; a small buffer allows time for maintenance and unit upgrades between tenants.
Now calculate the economic vacancy rate, which captures lost dollars rather than lost days. Suppose the property’s gross potential income is $28,800 per year ($2,400 monthly rent at full occupancy), but between the vacant days and a move-in concession you actually collected $26,496. Lost rental income equals $2,304, so:
$2,304 Lost Rental Income ÷ $28,800 Gross Potential Income = 8% Economic Vacancy Rate
Notice the economic rate runs higher than the physical rate because it captures concessions and uncollected rent, not just empty days. Compare both figures against your market vacancy rate to judge whether the property or the market is driving the gap. Use the vacancy rate calculator above to establish your baseline, then apply that percentage in the cash flow, DSCR, and NOI calculators for realistic underwriting.
Vacancy Rate Resources
What is Vacancy Rate?
Vacancy rate is a metric that quantifies the proportion of properties that are unoccupied in a specific area or portfolio over a set period. It serves as a key metric for investors and property managers, reflecting the demand for rental space and indicating the potential for rental income.
Rental Property Vacancy Rate FAQ
Why is a High Vacancy Rate Concerning for a Rental Property?
A high vacancy rate is concerning because it signifies potential lost rental income, suggests there might be issues with the property or its pricing, and can indicate low demand or oversupply in the market.
How to Reduce Vacancy Rates?
Using a calculator like the one on this page can help you with the first step of reducing vacancy rates to understand your current vacancy rate percentage. Once you have a benchmark number to start with, you can use this number to track your progress while implementing strategies such as ensuring competitive pricing, maintaining and upgrading properties regularly, marketing effectively, offering incentives or promotions, and providing excellent tenant service and communication.
Is a Zero Percent Vacancy Rate Considered Ideal for a Rental Property?
While a zero percent vacancy rate means full occupancy, it might also suggest that rents could be below market rates; some level of vacancy is natural, and having a slight buffer can allow for regular property maintenance and unit renovation upgrades.
