Prospective Tenant Wants Short-Term Lease

[Jamie Jones]

Hi BP,

I have a prospective tenant looking to rent out my townhouse in Murfreesboro, TN (Greater Nashville area) for roughly 4-5 months until his new house is finished being built - He has sold his prior home quicker than expected. He has already offered to pay a little over $200/mo. over the listed rent price ($1500 vs. $1295) but had considered asking for $1,600 and a fixed term on the lease. I have listed some pros and cons for the situation below, please let me know what you think. This is my first rental property. 

Pros:

-increased rent

-my property would be available again in the middle of the summer 

Cons:

-costs associated with turnover (cleaning, paint, etc.)

-possible vacancy in just a few months

-potential marketing expense

-tenant has 3 dogs (1 is a service dog - he is a veteran). This worries me a bit with turnover costs.

-may try to leave earlier and get out of lease if home is finished sooner than expected

[Bob B.]

Just say "NO'" and find a tenant that meets your requirements.  $800 isn't nearly enough to make it worth your while to turn over and re-rent a property.  He needs an extended stay motel-hotel.