[caelig]

As a landlord, I would like to write into the lease for renting a house, under the Holdover by Lessee section: A new year to-year tenancy, rather than a new month-to-month tenancy shall be created... The reason for this is I prefer to have vacancies in the summer months. This would automatically renew the lease for those who want to stay and would save us all the time and effort to sign a new lease at the end of each year. I am wondering if it is legal for me to do this.
Thanks,

[joypulv]

It's legal as long as there are no changes to the lease, including the amount of rent.
(I'm not following what this has to do with keeping the house vacant in the summer... )
Of course make sure tenants know this, and remind them with at least a phone call or email, 30 - 60 days before the end of the term. Not because you have to.

[caelig]

The reason I want the lease to renew year-to-year instead of month-to-month is I don't want people to leave during the winter months, when it is harder to find tenants. Also, summer is when most people move. I want the lease to end on July 31 every year. Month to month opens me up to the possibility of needing to rent it in a winter month.

[joypulv]

I used to tell roommates (renting in my house) that they had to give me 90 days notice for leaving Nov - Feb 1st. 60 days notice for Oct, March, April, and 30 days for May - Sep 1st. Or sign a year lease. That's probably too complicated for most landlording. I was trying to be accommodating to people I lived with. I had to give the same notice for vacating or raising the rent or any other changes.
Landlords can write their own terms in many cases. You just need to know the laws of your state. Many states have an online handbook.

[ScottGem]

Depends on local laws. But generally, you can add an automatic renewal clause. I would word it like this.

This lease expires on 7/31/2014. It will be automatically renewed for a one year term unless a notice of termination is submitted in writing 60 days prior to the expiration date. Any increase in the rental will require the same 60 day notice.

[AK lawyer]

Depends on local laws. But generally, you can add an automatic renewal clause. ...

"Local" being state statute if in the US. or whatever law governs if in another country. It would be very unusual indeed if a "local" town, city, or county had such laws.

[caelig]

Depends on local laws. But generally, you can add an automatic renewal clause. I would word it like this.

This lease expires on 7/31/2014. It will be automatically renewed for a one year term unless a notice of termination is submitted in writing 60 days prior to the expiration date. Any increase in the rental will require the same 60 day notice.

Thank you for your response. We are in MN. Basically, I just want to avoid having to find new tenants in our snowy winter months. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might achieve this? July, August and Sept 1 are really the most desirable times.

[ScottGem]

Thank you for your response. We are in MN. Basically, I just want to avoid having to find new tenants in our snowy winter months. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might achieve this? July, August and Sept 1 are really the most desirable times.

I told you how. There is no reason you can't have an automatic renewal clause like I suggested. However, MN law requires that you be very careful about automatic renewal clauses. MN statute 504B.145 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=504B.145) requires that you make sure the tenant is aware of the clause and that inform the tenant in writing that the clause is coming due.