# Is it legal to "prorate" rent by dividing by 30 instead of 31?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-prorate-rent-by-dividing-by-30-instead-of-31/278097>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 4, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-prorate-rent-by-dividing-by-30-instead-of-31/278097 "2004-12-04T20:07:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-prorate-rent-by-dividing-by-30-instead-of-31/278097/21 "2004-12-06T20:01:23Z")

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> [@CynicalGabe](#):
>
> As far as I know, the landlord can draw up any terms for a rental/lease they please (within reason and US law). As they say, its a free country, and if someone doesnt like the 30 day prorating policy, they can theoretically go live somewhere else. But since most places do this, the prospective tenant is compelled to take the shaft. I think it _should_ be illegal, but lending interests make afar larger campaign contributions than tenants do.
> 
> Oops! I revealed my CynicalSide! :smack:

This attitude is why so many lanlords sucessfully screw their tenants. Tenants have rights and in most states landlord/tenant law favors the tenant. Check your state laws.

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