We have friends who like to do house swaps rather than rent, gives them the chance to live a country for three to six months at a time, not exactly world travel I know but its suits plenty of people and they get to live like the locals. The house and gardens have always been well looked after by the visiting "tenant". Often do vehicle swaps as well and have clocked up some large kms (especially Canada).
Years ago in Melbourne I met a landlord who was very much into long term tenants - 2 and 3 year leases, allowed decorating by tenants (within reason), etc. He charged a few dollars less than market rates but viewed any time the houses were empty as a loss never to be recovered - cleaning, advertising, interviewing, ref checks. He only accepted payment by recurring credit card authorisation - which meant rent defaulters always paid one way or another as the banks would chase them.
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