What does TurboTax mean here: Was the Property Rented for all of 2019? Are they asking if it was for rent for the whole year or was it actually rented for the whole year?

[Ellen131]

You understand that it is confusing. I tried to rent the townhouse out for the whole of the year, had it listed with an agent but it was not actually rented out until 4 months into the listing. During the 4 months, I had no one living in it. So should I say it was rented for 12 months or for 8 months?

[MinhT1 · Accepted solution]

You rental property is considered rented from the day it was listed on the rental market. You should answer that it was rented all year.

[Carl]

The day count starts on the first day a renter "could" have moved in. Vacant periods between renters count also, provided you did not live in the house for one single day as your primary residence, 2nd home, vacation home, or any other "personal pleasure" use. The fact it sat empty for 4 months while being advertised is irrelevant.