<p>The intelligence of the tenant or landlord isn’t at issue here. The quality of a carefully written lease isn’t at issue here. The issue is that the prospective tenant wants an atypical lease and fully expects the landlord to accommodate. By not doing so, the OP says the landlord is ripping off the tenant. Op has now learned from comments here that 12 month lease is quite common. Although many here have stated how common a yr long lease is, I am surprised no one but me has objected to the Op’s phrase about it being a ripoff. It’s not a ripoff. It’s not unusual. Seeking a 10 month lease is unusual.
The summer months are different for this prospective tenant- he likely will be gone and have no desire for the privileges or obligations of the unit. However, it is not that different for the landlord. He still has a unit costing him money all year, but in this circumstance would have no money coming in summer. Of course he could write a 10 month lease but the LL doesn’t want to. If a landlord wants to have his unit rented all year- what’s wrong with that? If the LL is too rigid he may not find a renter- but isn’t it his right to make his own decisions? </p>
<p>The tenant doesn’t like the terms the LL offered. Thats ok. If the prospective tenant thinks the 2 summer months are easy to get a replacement tenant, then do a 12 month lease with permission to sublet. Let the renter take the risk of finding a replacement. Or a do slightly higher monthly rent in exchange for a 10 month lease, try for a month-to-month lease, or other options.</p>