Month to month vs. Yearly leases

[Kevin Stein]

Hi all,

I'm just starting to get back into the RE game.  I currently have a duplex in addition to my primary residence.  I'm working with a realtor now to add another rental.

One of the things I feel pretty strongly about from my experience renting my duplex (since 2008) is that I am a huge proponent of month to month leases.  I am of the mind that if a tenant does not want to be in my property then I don't want them there.  This seems to fly in the face of most opinions on this site.

So obviously turnover could be higher, and that turnover could come at inopportune times (December), but is that really enough for me to reconsider my philosophy?  Isn't the hassle of a messy eviction at least as bad?

Thanks!

[Jon Holdman]

I only do month to month leases.  I think a long term lease ties the landlord's hands more than the tenant's.  If the tenant needs to leave, they will.  A lease can only go so far to offsetting personal issues that make them want to move.  OTOH, if you decide you want them out and have a lease you have to evict.  Month to month doesn't mean short term.  I have one tenant that's going on three years on a month to month lease.