Understanding Vacancy Loss
How we calculate. Loss = GPR × vacancy rate. See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical Vacancy Loss case uses potential gross rent 100000 and vacancy rate (%) 8. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Vacancy Loss?
The dollar haircut implied by a vacancy assumption—useful alongside vacancy rate %.
- Same year as GPR
- Economic vacancy may differ
- EGI = GPR − loss in the simple model
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Pro formas: vacancy dollars
- Owner reports: leasing impact
- Budget variance: empty units cost
Pro Tips
- Segment by unit type
- Include make-ready downtime
- Watch concession equivalence
| Scenario | When to use |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Finding a part of a whole (tax, tip, score) |
| Percent change | Comparing old vs new values |
Limitations: Vacancy Loss results are educational real-estate planning aids—not appraisals, loan offers, or investment advice. Confirm figures with qualified professionals.
Common mistakes
- Swapping part and whole: The denominator must be the full total, not a subset.
- Rounding too early: Carry extra decimal places through multi-step work before rounding the final percent.
- Mixing percent and decimal forms: Enter rates in the format the calculator labels expect.
The worked example for vacancy loss was verified with the calculator form on this page—enter the same values to confirm the result.
When to use this calculator
- Use this page when your wording matches vacancy loss and the form labels on screen.
- Use percent of a number for “what is X% of Y?” problems.
- Use number is what percent when you know part and whole and need the percent.
Still unsure about vacancy loss? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this vacancy loss calculator?
For vacancy loss (percentage calculator), enter the values labeled on the form, then press Calculate. Compare the result to the worked example on this page.
What formula does this page use?
See the quick answer and formula box above for vacancy loss—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking vacancy loss, re-check part vs whole (or rate vs base), rounding, and whether percents were entered as 25 rather than 0.25 when the form expects percents.
Authoritative References
For real estate investing concepts, consult:
- National Association of Realtors — market context
- Investopedia — NOI — net operating income basics
- CFPB — homebuying education