Agree to Make a Lease Agreement Loophole?

[Johnny Potts]

Hey BP!

So I’m brand new to buy and hold real estate investing, and through an agreement with a close friend, I recently became able to move in with him and rent out my own home.

I’ve screened dozens of tenants and landed on a couple that exceeds all requirements who’d like a place to stay until the market cools enough for them to buy a house of their own. They’re interested in signing a six month lease with the option of going month to month after that.

My HOA states that lease agreements must be at least 12 months in length, as to discourage short term rentals and high turnover in the neighborhood.

So my question is, would it be ethical/legal/smart to ask them to sign a 12 month lease with an escape clause written into it, given they offer a long enough warning for me? The way I see it, the HOA can be pleased at the fact the lease is long term, the tenants can enjoy the flexibility and option of staying longer, and I can have seemingly decent tenants and a heads up to prepare for the vacancy.

Thanks!!