Rental Question...

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I've never rented before... Always owned my own home. But in Feb I'm moving to Maui and I'd rather rent and keep my savings acct intact by not buying a place right away. (Renting is cheaper than owning there)

I found a place... In Lahaina, on the beach. I want a one year lease, the owner only wants a six month lease with a month to month after that. I'm afraid he plans to kick me out for the holidays next year and then put it back up for rent the next January like he's doing now.

Would you take that or would you look for another place that was more interestd in a longer term renter?

(I know, I know... DIAF OP)

 

[skyking]

keep looking. you can come back to that one if nothing better shows up.

 

[nageov3t]

I'd look for a long-term place if you're going to be staying there more than 6-months.

I rent on a month to month basis right now and it works fine, but giving you a 6-month lease on a beach apartment that conveniently ends right at the begining of summer seems really shady.

 

[DAGTA]

A shorter lease is in your favor, in my opinion. You don't know if you will like the place. What if you sign a year lease on a rental and find out the neighbors are very loud and annoying? or you have a cockroach problem? or the pipes are in bad shape and you have leaks and clogs? etc. Better to start with a short lease and then sign a longer one if you like it.

Also, that gives you time to get to know the area. After a few months, you may decide you like a neighborhood a few miles away better. A short term lease gives you time to scope things out without being locked in for a year.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I'd look for a long-term place if you're going to be staying there more than 6-months.

I rent on a month to month basis right now and it works fine, but giving you a 6-month lease on a beach apartment that conveniently ends right at the begining of summer seems really shady.

That's kinda what I was thinking. A one year lease would keep me there through Christmas '07. A six month lease followed by a month to month would keep me there as long as I want until he needs to put the family up for Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years, at which point I get my 30 days notice and I'm out.

Originally posted by: DAGTA
A shorter lease is in your favor, in my opinion. You don't know if you will like the place. What if you sign a year lease on a rental and find out the neighbors are very loud and annoying? or you have a cockroach problem? or the pipes are in bad shape and you have leaks and clogs? etc. Better to start with a short lease and then sign a longer one if you like it.

Also, that gives you time to get to know the area. After a few months, you may decide you like a neighborhood a few miles away better. A short term lease gives you time to scope things out without being locked in for a year.

I already know the neighborhood. The neighbors are fine. It's a cottage on the beach in Maui (on Front Street in Lahaina). Basically it's a dream come true. I could care less about its condition. If it was a drooping shack I'd take it. All it has to do is keep me dry while I sleep. But, FWIW, it's newly remodeled, new paint, flooring, etc.