How to use the holdover rent calculator
Korean law forces every residential lease to run at least two years. US law sets no minimum term at all: a lease can be six months, one year, or a single month, and it ends exactly when the contract says it ends. What US tenants need to plan for instead is what happens the day after, because staying past the term can cost considerably more than the old rent.
Enter the lease start date, the term in months, the current rent, and the holdover percentage written in your lease. The calculator returns the lease end date, the day a month-to-month tenancy would begin, the holdover rent, and how much extra that is each month.
Legal basis (as of September 2026) โ where a tenant stays on and the landlord keeps accepting rent, most states treat the tenancy as renewed month to month on the original terms; California Civil Code ยง1945 states that rule directly. A lease clause setting holdover rent at 125% to 200% of base rent overrides that default, and a landlord who does not consent may instead bring an unlawful detainer action. No state statute requires a minimum lease length.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Holdover clauses, notice rules, and eviction procedures vary by state and by lease. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Unlike Korea, which imposes a two year floor on residential leases, US lease length is purely contractual. Month-to-month, six month, and one year terms are all common and all enforceable.
It is the higher rent many leases charge when a tenant stays past the term without a new agreement, commonly 125% to 200% of base rent. If your lease has no such clause, the old rent usually continues.
Usually a month-to-month tenancy rather than a full new term, if the landlord accepts rent. California Civil Code ยง1945 codifies that result; other states reach it through common law holdover rules.