One or two year lease???

[Kevin Allen]

Ok, so I close on my first buy and hold property next week. I know typically length of leases are one year. However, I know three different people that have gone to two year leases. They say this is due to the fact of the cost it takes to get the house move in ready when someone moves out(usually and hopefully paint and carpet). So do you guys think the two year lease is a good idea or do you think it would scare would be renters away?

[Thomas S.]

The length of a lease has no bearing on how long a tenant will stay. They can leave whenever they choose and you are stuck finding a replacement. Long leases tend to protect the tenant not the landlord.

If you have a good relationship with a tenant M2M is all you need, if you have a bad relationship M2M is even better.