Inheriting a tenant in Florida - Use original lease or new one?

[Becky Reid]

Hello!

I am putting an offer on a property in Northwest Florida where a tenant is already in place (will be my first investment, if accepted).  I have not seen the lease yet, so I don't know how well it is written.  My question is "Do you use the original lease or do you write up a new one?"  I know the answer is likely "It depends".  What are the pros and cons of each, in a general situation?  If the old lease is written well, can you transfer it and the associated security deposit?  What happens to the security deposit if you decide to go with a new lease and how can I get that security deposit?

This is all new to me, so I'm just trying to think of some of the first steps I'll have to take after getting this property (or any other tenant inhabited property).  Thank you for your feed back!