When buying a MF with tenants, can you ask about payment history

[Jason Poquette]

Hello BiggerPockets Community,

Thanks for your kindness to Newbies like me. I'm brand new to investment properties. Looking at several MF units in our area (MA). I'm wondering about buying with existing tenants. What kind of things can you do to make sure the owner isn't selling due to tenants that aren't paying? Especially right now, when evictions are not easy. I feel bad even asking that, as I understand this is a hard time for lots of people. But for our very first property, I don't want to find myself stuck in a bad situation that I can't get out of. Obviously if they are good tenants, I want to keep them if possible. 

Any thoughts?