Closing on a rental, what information/documents should we get from current owners?

[John Krischer]

We just entered into contract for a duplex rental property with existing tenants, want to ensure we get everything needed from the current owners that we may want/need, Thinking of things like the rental history, the tenants leases, the background check info on them, the documentation on any of the property fixtures (fridge, range, dishwasher, washer.dryer, etc) etc etc

Also, for any security deposit from the tenants that the owners have, best to have them return that to tenants and we get it from them? Thinking of starting fresh with a background check, a new lease (they are month to month at present), letting know our rules and giving them our version of the "tenant guide" with what to do in case of XXX, how to pay rent, etc.

Checked BP for articles and such but didn't find anything relevant, suspect its out there or if not can someone shed some light on things to ask for, watch out for, etc"

Thank you in advance, have found BP to be an amazing resource, just finished listening to every podcast to date and now the reading starts!

John