Property being sold with tenants already in them

[Jalen De Leon]

There’s this duplex on sale that I am interested in buying with tenants already in them. Property is in a B neighborhood and I was just wondering if I should buy the property with the tenant already being in it or should I somewhat background check the tenant even though they have been living in property. Just want to be safe than sorry, what are your guy’s opinion on this?

[Ray Hage]

If they have been living there for many years, I probably wouldn't bother with it. The most important things are: are they paying rent on time? are they maintaining the property well? However, it doesn't hurt to do it but it may create some animosity with the current tenants especially if they just moved in and completely a background check recently. 

If the property is rented well under market and could use updating, you could use this as opportunity to ask them to leave especially if they are not taking care of the units well.