I agree, the issue is optics.
It is common for churches to provide a pastoral housing allowance, or even have a manse for the pastor/family, as part of the compensation; it helps for tax purposes, and is more convenient in denominations, like the Methodists, that move their pastors around every four years or so.
It would be better for him to stay out of the landlord business and stick to the Savior and Lord business, but apostasy is like a squid with many arms, full of black ink.
Yep. And it sort of follows in that whole “avoidance of appearance of impropriety” thing.