Tenant Abandoned Unit- Need Solution!!!

[Anthony Acosta]

Hello everyone, 

I recently purchased my first rental unit on 1/28/22 located in Hartford, CT. 

I met most of the tenants except the 1st floor. While doing the showing I was told the first floor tenants were out of country and potentially might stay there. This was in December, the old seller said 1st floor paid for December. 

Now since I bought the property on January the last seller informed me 1st flood didn’t pay for January. Now it’s February and I still have not been able to contact the first floor tenant. 

What should I do? I am worried about the pipes being frozen since no one has been in the unit for about 3 months. 

I want to do everything legit. I don’t want to do anything shady. I was told to wait for a bit and other say to start the eviction process. I was also told to send them a letter stating I will be changing the locks. Before doing that I want to know if that’s legal. If I give them plenty of time of notice. I will be giving them a copy I’m not going to change it and not give them a copy. 

Also I did see the unit before buying the house. It’s in good condition. I am a new landlord and I want to solve this as soon as possible. 

Any help is good thank you very much!