Rental Yield Calculator
Calculate the rental yield of your property investment.
Maintenance, insurance, management.
Legal, tax, survey fees.
How It Works & Educational Guide
How To Use
- Enter the purchase price of the property and any associated buying costs.
- Input the expected or actual monthly rental income.
- Optionally add annual expenses like maintenance and insurance to see your true Net Yield.
Yield Calculation Logic
Net Yield % = (Annual Rent − Annual Expenses) / (Property Price + Purchase Costs) × 100
What the results mean
A $300,000 property with $1,500 monthly rent and $3,600 in annual expenses has a net yield of 4.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a "Good" rental yield in today's market?
In most stable real estate markets, a net rental yield of 4% to 6% is considered a strong and reliable return on an investment property. However, this benchmark can vary significantly based on the location, property type, and the local demand for rental housing in that specific region. High-growth areas may offer lower immediate yields in exchange for the potential for significant long-term capital appreciation. Our calculator helps you benchmark your specific property against these global standards to ensure your investment is performing as expected.
What is the core difference between Gross and Net Rental Yield?
Gross yield is a simple calculation of your annual rent divided by the purchase price, while net yield accounts for all ongoing expenses like insurance, taxes, and repairs. Net yield provides a much truer picture of the actual cash flow you will put in your pocket at the end of every year. For example, a property with a 7% gross yield might only have a 4% net yield once you subtract management fees and property maintenance. Our tool performs both calculations to give you a 360-degree view of your investment's real-world profitability.
Should I include my initial purchase costs in the calculation?
Yes, for the most accurate assessment of your ROI, you should include all acquisition costs such as stamp duty, legal fees, and inspection costs in the total price. These "entry costs" can often add 5-10% to the total investment, which significantly impacts your real percentage return over time. By accounting for every dollar spent to acquire the asset, you get a much more realistic view of how long it will take to break even. Our calculator includes fields for these one-time costs to ensure your data is as robust and professional as possible.
What are the typical annual expenses I should budget for?
A common rule of thumb is to budget 1% to 2% of the property's total value annually for routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. You should also account for professional management fees, which typically range from 8% to 12% of the total monthly rent collected. Other essential costs include landlord insurance, local property taxes, and any periods of vacancy where no rent is being paid. Properly estimating these expenses is the only way to avoid a "cash-flow negative" situation that could jeopardize your financial stability.
How does a property's "Vacancy Rate" affect its annual yield?
The vacancy rate represents the percentage of the year that your property remains unrented, which directly reduces your total annual revenue. Our calculator allows you to adjust for "void periods," such as two or four weeks between tenants, to see how it impacts your final yield percentage. Even a property with high monthly rent can be a poor investment if it is difficult to find and keep reliable long-term tenants in that area. Accounting for vacancy is a vital step in creating a realistic and conservative financial projection for any rental asset.
Reviewed by Lion Real Estate Team · Updated April 26, 2026