In what scenario can an initial lease term be less than one year?

The scenario in which an initial lease term can be less than one year is when a shorter term is a prevailing market practice. This is relevant because housing markets can vary significantly, and in some areas, landlords may commonly offer shorter lease terms, such as six months or even month-to-month agreements, to attract tenants or accommodate market demand.

In these markets, shorter lease terms provide flexibility for both landlords and tenants. For landlords, this arrangement can help in quickly adapting to changing market conditions or tenant needs, while tenants might appreciate the ability to move more freely without being locked into a long-term commitment.

Considering the other options, while changes in the family’s income or a preference for month-to-month leasing might lead to situations where a shorter lease is desired, they do not inherently justify a short initial lease term as a standard practice. Frequent repairs on a unit may encourage a tenant to consider breaking a lease but does not affect the length of the lease's initial term as defined by market norms. Thus, the context of prevailing market practices takes precedence in allowing shorter lease durations.