Eviction Cost-Benefit Estimator
ANA›Life Services Authority›National Calculator Authority›Eviction Cost-Benefit Estimator
.calc-container { max-width: 640px; margin: 2rem 0; padding: 1.5rem; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.06); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif; } .calc-container h3 { font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.15rem; color: #1a1a1a; margin-bottom: 1rem; padding-bottom: 0.5rem; border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ac, #3d5a80); } .calc-row { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.75rem; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; flex-wrap: wrap; } .calc-row label { min-width: 160px; font-size: 0.9rem; color: #333; font-weight: 500; } .calc-row input[type="number"], .calc-row select { flex: 1; min-width: 120px; max-width: 200px; padding: 0.5rem 0.6rem; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 0.9rem; font-family: system-ui, sans-serif; color: #1a1a1a; background: #fafaf8; } .calc-row input:focus, .calc-row select:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--ac, #3d5a80); box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(26,74,138,0.12); } .calc-row .unit { font-size: 0.82rem; color: #888; min-width: 30px; } .calc-btn { display: inline-block; margin-top: 0.5rem; padding: 0.55rem 1.5rem; background: var(--ac, #3d5a80); color: #fff; border: none; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 0.9rem; font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, sans-serif; } .calc-btn:hover { opacity: 0.9; } .calc-result { margin-top: 1.25rem; padding: 1rem 1.25rem; background: #f0f6fc; border-left: 3px solid var(--ac, #3d5a80); border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; display: none; } .calc-result.visible { display: block; } .calc-result-label { font-size: 0.78rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.06em; color: #666; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; } .calc-result-value { font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--ac, #3d5a80); } .calc-result-detail { font-size: 0.85rem; color: #555; margin-top: 0.5rem; line-height: 1.5; } .calc-note { margin-top: 1rem; font-size: 0.8rem; color: #888; font-style: italic; } .calc-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 0.75rem; margin-top: 0.75rem; } .calc-grid-item { padding: 0.6rem 0.8rem; background: #f8f9fa; border-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid #eee; } .calc-grid-item .label { font-size: 0.75rem; color: #888; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.04em; } .calc-grid-item .value { font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; } @media (max-width: 720px) { .calc-row { flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.3rem; } .calc-row label { min-width: auto; } .calc-row input[type="number"], .calc-row select { max-width: 100%; width: 100%; } .calc-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } } .calc-chart { margin: 1rem 0; text-align: center; } .calc-chart svg { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .calc-chart-legend { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center; gap: 0.6rem 1.2rem; margin-top: 0.6rem; font-size: 0.8rem; color: #555; } .calc-chart-legend span { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.3rem; } .calc-chart-legend i { display: inline-block; width: 10px; height: 10px; border-radius: 2px; font-style: normal; } .calc-related { max-width: 640px; margin: 2rem 0 1rem; padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem; background: #f8f9fa; border: 1px solid #e8e8e8; border-radius: 8px; } .calc-related h3 { font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1rem; color: #1a1a1a; margin: 0 0 0.75rem; padding-bottom: 0.4rem; border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ac, #3d5a80); } .calc-related-list { list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0 0 0.75rem; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 0.4rem 1.5rem; } .calc-related-list li a { font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--ac, #3d5a80); text-decoration: none; } .calc-related-list li a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } .calc-browse-all { margin: 0.5rem 0 0; font-size: 0.9rem; font-weight: 600; } .calc-browse-all a { color: var(--ac, #3d5a80); text-decoration: none; } .calc-browse-all a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } @media (max-width: 720px) { .calc-related-list { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }
Eviction Cost-Benefit Estimator
Compare the true cost of pursuing eviction against alternative resolutions such as payment plans, cash-for-keys, or mediation. Enter your situation below to see a detailed cost breakdown.
Monthly Rent ($)
Months of Unpaid Rent
Security Deposit Held ($)
Court Filing Fee ($)
Attorney / Legal Fees ($)
Process Server / Sheriff Fee ($)
Lockout / Writ of Possession Fee ($)
Expected Vacancy After Eviction (months)
Unit Turnover / Repair Cost ($)
Re-listing / Marketing Cost ($)
Alternative Resolution Cost (cash-for-keys, mediation, etc.) ($)
Rent Forgiven Under Alternative Resolution ($)
Calculate
function eviCalc() { var errors = [];
var monthlyRent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-monthly-rent').value); var monthsUnpaid = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-months-unpaid').value); var securityDeposit = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-security-deposit').value); var filingFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-filing-fee').value); var attorneyFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-attorney-fee').value); var processServer = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-process-server').value); var lockoutFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-lockout-fee').value); var vacancyMonths = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-vacancy-months').value); var turnoverCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-turnover-cost').value); var relistingCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-relisting-cost').value); var alternativeCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-alternative-cost').value); var altRentForgiven = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evi-alternative-rent-forgiven').value);
if (isNaN(monthlyRent) || monthlyRent 0) { resultDiv.style.display = 'block'; resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please fix the following:' + errors.map(function(e){ return ''; }).join('') + ''; return; }
// ── EVICTION PATH ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── // Gross rent owed var rentOwed = monthlyRent * monthsUnpaid;
// Legal & procedural direct costs var legalCosts = filingFee + attorneyFee + processServer + lockoutFee;
// Lost income during vacancy var vacancyLoss = monthlyRent * vacancyMonths;
// Indirect costs var indirectCosts = turnoverCost + relistingCost;
// Gross eviction cost (what landlord spends / loses) var grossEvictionCost = legalCosts + vacancyLoss + indirectCosts;
// Security deposit offsets some of the unpaid rent var depositOffset = Math.min(securityDeposit, rentOwed);
// Net financial loss on eviction path // = unpaid rent not covered by deposit + all eviction costs var uncoveredRent = Math.max(0, rentOwed - depositOffset); var netEvictionLoss = uncoveredRent + grossEvictionCost;
// ── ALTERNATIVE PATH ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── // Total outlay for alternative resolution var altTotalCost = alternativeCost + altRentForgiven;
// Deposit still held (not applied in alternative scenario unless agreed) var altDepositOffset = Math.min(securityDeposit, rentOwed); var altUncoveredRent = Math.max(0, rentOwed - altDepositOffset);
// Net loss on alternative path var netAlternativeLoss = altUncoveredRent + altTotalCost;
- // ── COMPARISON ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- var savings = netEvictionLoss - netAlternativeLoss;
- var recommendation = savings > 0
- ? "The alternative resolution saves you $" + fmt(savings) + " compared to eviction."
- savings 0 ? "Alternative Resolution" : savings 0 ? "#2e7d32" : savings ' + 'Gross Rent Owed$' + fmt(rentOwed) + '' + 'Security Deposit Offset-$' + fmt(depositOffset) + '' + 'Uncovered Rent$' + fmt(uncoveredRent) + '' + 'Legal & Procedural Costs$' + fmt(legalCosts) + '' + 'Vacancy Income Loss$' + fmt(vacancyLoss) + '' + 'Turnover & Re-listing Costs$' + fmt(indirectCosts) + '' + 'Net Eviction Loss$' + fmt(netEvictionLoss) + '' + '' +
'#### Alternative Resolution Path ' + '' + 'Gross Rent Owed$' + fmt(rentOwed) + '' + 'Security Deposit Offset-$' + fmt(altDepositOffset) + '' + 'Uncovered Rent$' + fmt(altUncoveredRent) + '' + 'Cash-for-Keys / Mediation Cost$' + fmt(alternativeCost) + '' + 'Rent Forgiven$' + fmt(altRentForgiven) + '' + 'Net Alternative Loss$' + fmt(netAlternativeLoss) + '' + '' +
'#### Recommendation ' + '' + '' + recommendation + '
' + 'Recommended Path: ' + betterPath + '
' + '' +
'* This estimate does not account for potential judgment recovery, tenant bankruptcy, or state-specific statutory damages. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
'; }
function fmt(n) { return n.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); }
#### Formulas Used
Eviction Path:
- Net Eviction Loss = Uncovered Rent + Legal Costs + Vacancy Loss + Indirect Costs
Alternative Resolution Path:
- Net Alternative Loss = Uncovered Rent + Alternative Cost + Rent Forgiven
Savings = Net Eviction Loss − Net Alternative Loss
A positive savings value favors the alternative resolution; a negative value favors eviction.
#### Assumptions & References
- References: Nolo Press Landlord's Legal Guide; National Apartment Association Cost of Eviction Study (2022); Urban Institute Housing Research (2021).
More Calculators
- Drywall Screw Quantity Calculator
- Drywall Weight and Load Calculator
- Roof Drainage Area Calculator
- Gutter Slope and Pitch Calculator
- SR-22 Insurance Cost Estimator
- Charging Cost Calculator
- DUI Fine and Penalty Cost Estimator
- Propane vs Natural Gas Cost Comparison Calculator
- Energy Savings Calculator
- Heat Loss Calculator — Wall and Insulation R-Value Estimator
- Furnace Sizing Calculator for Montana Winters
- Montana Climate Zone Heating Load Calculator
Read Next
Study Time Planner Authority Network America › Life Services Authority › National Calculator Authority .calc-container { max-width: 640px;...