Inherited nonpaying tenants again

[Leon Lee]

Hi, BPers

I posted something about inherited tenants a while ago and got a lot of help from you experienced MF landlords here. For that, thank you all! I am about to close on another deal and have a similar issue and would like to hear your valuable inputs again:

While we are closing at the end of this week, I just got an email from the seller saying that prorated rents only include two of the four units that are currently paying. This is a little surprising, because by the end of last year, there were still 3 tenants in the fourplex who were paying. Now, my questions are:

1. Since the closing is in the middle of the month, could I take actions to the non-paying tenants immediately (posting notice, talking to them regarding rents, etc..) or I need to wait till the 5th day of the next month. 

2. One of the nonpaying tenants is disabled veteran. Are there any specific things that I need to pay attention to when dealing with him? He left me with pretty bad first impression: he took 20 minutes showing me how horrible everything in the house went wrong during the inspection (In fact, he lives in a nice brick fourplex with garage and 3 bedrooms that was built after 2000). I feel quite certain that I probably will need to get him out of the unit soon. 

3. Do you guys make a list of supporting programs related to COVID and send to your tenants? If so, what are main programs out there that I shouldn't miss?

4. If I have to evict someone, this will be my first eviction as a landlord. What are main steps and key points that I need to keep in mind, especially during COVID? I will definitely search information on local websites, but trying to get some useful information here first as I am new.

Many thanks in advance!

Lee

[Theresa Harris]

With non-payment if their income was not affected (as may be the case with the disabled vet), they should still be paying rent.  Are there other terms of the lease that they are violating as that is your best bet. 

Give them a list of places where they can get help, but also with the last round of govt support, there was also supposed to be money for landlords to give them unpaid rent.  Remind them if they are working, they need to be paying rent or sign a legal document stating that their income has been affected and they risk being homeless (paraphrasing, but for them not to pay the govt has a form they have to sign).  

As soon as the eviction ban is lifted, if they start paying again give both notice that they lease is not being renewed or if they are month to month, give them the 30 or 60 days' notice.  If they still aren't paying, evict them.