FL Eviction Question RE Rent

[Wendy Lacey]

Good Day, 

I recently posted a question and I wanted to add more detail for a tenant issue. 

I bought a property on 6/08/2022. The tenants have been back in forth on whether or not they would be moving or staying since prior to me closing on the property.

They have been a month to month tenant since January 2014 and their payments are due on the 20th of every month. 

I obtained a signed agreement with them on 6/17/2022 that they would vacate/end tenacy on 7/19/2022 if they have not signed  a new lease with me on/before 7/01/2022. 
On 6/17/2022 they paid me $700 in rent for their 6/20/2022 payment date. 

On 6/28/2022 the tenants texted me that they are moving out on 7/02/2022 and asking when can they get their money back: 

“Hey Wendy was wondering if we can get our money back we are moving out and signing lease tomorrow”

They threatened not to give the keys back unless I paid them back rent. They also advised that if I didn’t pay them for it they would be taking the bathroom vanity and toilet with them because they replaced those items (prior to my purchase of the property).

I explained that as they did not give me timely notice per the FL Statute I do not have to return their rent money. 

They have mostly moved out of the house and I (living right next to them) have not seen them enter the house since 7/03/2022 Today 7/06/2022 I called to see if the utilities were still on. The utilities are turned off so this morning I paid for and requested the water be turned on. Upon the arrival of the city water official the tenant can from down the street to stop them from turning the water on stating that I can’t touch the property until the 19th or 20th. She called the police and they responded. They of course told me I could leave the water on but we decided to turn it off in case the try to waste water. 

These tenants have been texting me terrible things since they advised they were moving out seeking rent paid back, they let their associates throw rocks at the house (shown on Ring Doorbell) and have threatened to send family over to bother me and cause issues (the cops say the person the tenant is referring to is a known problem in the area). 

While the officers were over they (the tenants) advised they would be going to the courthouse…for what idk. Up to this point they have refused to return the keys and claimed they are not fully moved out. 
 
About an hour later I walked out of the house, tenants were outside and handed me the keys and stated they would be out by the end of the day. 

I understand without the proper 15 day notice from the tenant to me the landlord I don’t owe them their rent back, if I were to seek an eviction to get them out of the property before 7/19/2022 would I be on the hook for paying them back rent. I honestly don’t feel comfortable with these tenants and have fears they will do things to destroy my property. I would like to change the locks and have full access to the property as soon as possible. 

Thanks for any help.