Acquiring a property with tenants

[Eric H.]

Greetings BP Fam,

I am currently in negotiations with a seller regarding a rental property. I do not wish to keep the tenants in place because I have already learned from the seller that they don't pay on time and when I viewed the house it was clear that they were not clean folks. Seller wants to sell immediately and if she has to get them out it will take her another 2 months. The tenant's lease is not up until Jan 1 2016. I am still waiting for seller to send me copy of lease. So how do I go about ensuring I have the ability to 'force' these tenants to leave come Jan 1 2016? Is there anything I need to put in the contract to ensure a smooth transition? How do I word the fact that I will be entitled to november and december rent? What about security deposit? Seller mentioned she will do a final walkthrough before settlement to clear her obligation and that tenants aren't entitled to a security deposit. But what does have to do with me because I will be incurring a property that is need of repair due to YOUR tenants? Any advice and pointing me in the right direction would be great.

Baltimore Maryland landlord tenant issues

Thanks in advance!

[Steve Vaughan]

A 'pay or quit' or 'pay or vacate' is a 3-7 day (depending on your state law) notice to the tenants to pay the amount owed or vacate.  It's the first step in eviction in most states.  I would try and look up my landlord-tenant law online for MA.  

No, I wouldn't give the tenants any money before closing @Eric H..  What if you end up not buying it?  You also don't want to solve the sellers problem too soon, right?  May not need you anymore!

When you do own it, cash for keys can be a great way to rid yourself of tenants.  Especially in blue states like ours.  Just don't give them the $ until they are out!