M2M vs longer term lease

[Katie Stone]

We have always done a 12 month lease automatically going to a M2M after. Reading many of the posts on BP I see some people like the M2M lease better. Why? Are there any cons to the M2M? Getting ready to rent out a large SFH (3500 s/f) and a townhouse and wondering if I should consider M2M..... honestly it makes me nervous with Fall/Winter coming up as no one wants to move during that time if the tenants leave.

What has your experience been (good and bad) with the M2M?

Thanks!

[Wesley W.]

In my tenant-friendly neck of the woods, a year lease gives many more rights to the tenant and almost none to the landlord.  I always do MTM from jump;  I treat my heavily-screened tenants well and hope they stay for a long time.  If I made a mistake with a tenant (or they are inherited via acquisition), I can terminate their MTM lease.  The tenants, in turn, can leave if they transfer job or something else in their lives changes.  Last thing I want is someone living in my building that doesn't want to be there.

It's very difficult to evict for any lease violation around here save non-payment of rent.