Ferndale Duplex Inherited Tenant Refusing to Communicate

[Gabe Knowles]

I am a new landlord in my mid-twenties who just closed on a duplex in Ferndale (an area of metro Detroit) in early April. I inherited both tenants with their leases expiring at the end of May (bottom unit) and end of June (upper unit). I plan on updating the whole property and moving into one of the units. 

I have assumed their leases and added an addendum that includes a few items (no auto renewal, new payment address, etc… ) which I am planning on asking them to sign.

I sent non-renewal letters about a week after closing (early April), which gives them way beyond the 30 days' notice. I know they have both received their respective letters because the upper tenant responded promptly with the contact info I requested.

Upper unit tenant has been awesome and super easy to communicate with. She asked for prorated rent if she moved out early, which I happily agreed to and she has been extremely cooperative.

Lower unit tenant is mad that someone less than half her age owns the property and is not letting her stay (she has been there 10+ years). She was extremely rude and a little crazy in communication with my realtor. She completely ignored my non-renewal letter and the subsequent email I sent her.

I am not sure what the next steps should be with the lower unit tenant who has one more months' rent to pay and is required to move out by the end of May.

I am thinking I will send certified mail with payment information and non-renewal info again by the end of this week. This will give me legal proof that she has received the information and has necessary time to pay rent and another 30+ days' notice of non-renewal.

Does this sound like a good next step?

What can I do if I still don’t receive any form of communication or payment?

I can enforce the original lease as it is now transferred to me through the sale of the property, correct? (Michigan)

Would appreciate any advice! Thanks