The amount you pay for your first and last months' rent depends on two things:
Your exact move-in and move-out dates.
The landlord's chosen rent calculation method.
In this article:
How rental application payments work
Before we look at the methods, it's important to know that you'll pay one full month's rent upfront to confirm your rental.
If your first month's rent is calculated to be less than a full month (for example, on a Daily basis), the extra amount you paid is not lost. It is subtracted from your next month's rent.
The 3 rent calculation methods
Landlords choose one of three ways to calculate rent for their listings:
1. Daily basis
You only pay for the exact number of days you stay in your first and last months — just like a hotel. For all other full months, you pay the full month’s rent.
2. Half-monthly basis
For your first and last months, a specific rule applies based on the number of days you stay:
14 days or less: You pay half a month's rent.
15 days or more: You pay the full month's rent.
For all other full months, you pay the full month’s rent.
3. Monthly basis
You always pay the full month’s rent, no matter your move-in and move-out dates.
Comparing the 3 methods: an example
Let's use one simple scenario to see how this works.
Scenario: You're renting a place from 20 April to 10 August for €1,000 per month.
Your first and second months (April & May): As explained in the section How rental application payments work, you will pay the full €1,000 for April to confirm your rental. Because your stay in April is short, you will have overpaid (on a Daily or Half-monthly basis). This overpayment will be deducted from your May rent, so your payment for May will be lower. (For all three methods, June and July are charged as full €1,000 months.)
Your last month (August): The rent calculation method is clearest when you look at your last month. Here’s what you would pay for August based on each method:
Method | Your last month (Move-out: 10 August) |
Daily basis | You pay for 10 days. (You stay from 1 August to 10 August). |
Half-monthly basis | You pay half a month's rent (€500). (Your 10-day stay is 14 days or less.) |
Monthly basis | You pay the full month's rent (€1,000). |
Checking how rent is calculated
The calculation method for a specific listing is shown in its description. It will look like this: (This example shows rent calculated on a Daily basis).
Understanding how rent is calculated helps you plan your budget with confidence. We're here to make your rental journey clear and straightforward, so you can focus on settling into your new home.