Jan 1st lease? Should I do a 6 month?

[Jon Huber]

I am purchasing a property that is about to close mid to late-November. I will need a couple of weeks to get it rent ready, so it should be good to go by mid-December. I doubt anyone is moving in around Christmas, so lets assume I have a January 1st lease start date. As I understand it, this would be one of the worst dates to have a yearly lease renewal.

Should I suggest a 6 month lease? Of course, I will explain how this is mutually beneficial as they get a short lease as a trial to see if they like the property. Then I will have the renewal July 1st. 

(Fun fact: Property is in NJ, so I would want to avoid people moving in the snow)

Has anyone else done this?