If you give them a shorter term lease, do it at a higher rent as you are going to be inconvenienced trying to find a new tenant at what may be a hard time of year. 

We have 6 new construction duplex units that will be available to rent starting in September. 

I thought this was a joke at first but am told they require some form to be signed attesting to the owner/landlord living within 15 minutes driving distance of the property in order to rent it out. 

I'm 90% she will say no because I have to increase the rent, and she was very clear about what she could afford.

Side note - he'd be better off if his tenants were scared off since they are paying far below market rent!

The property is currently valued at roughly $330,000 and rents for $2500/month.

I own three single-family houses that I rent, and I've been managing them myself since I acquired the first one in 2011.

READ THIS ARTICLEThe tenant is authorizing you to run a credit/criminal for the purpose of renting.

So, instead of dreading the lost rent (opportunity cost) of the vacancy focus on the opportunity the vacancy provides. 

The property rented for $895 so it was cash flow positive (my PITI + PM is just over $700).