Regarding inherited renters....

[Peter Crabtree]

Good evening BP! A couple of quick questions if I may,

   I have bought an off-market duplex with inherited tenants. Basically a turn-key property. Here are my question...

1) When I went to introduce myself to the tenants, one of them was non-apologetically smoking inside. When I asked him if the previous property manager had told him smoking was not allowed inside, he repeatedly mentioned that smoking inside was not prohibited in his lease. As it turns out, he is right. The lease he signed does not say anything about smoking (freaking crazy. It prohibits "live" christmas trees buy does not address smoking!!!) I told him that I do not allow smoking inside in any of my properties, and asked to do it outside from now on. So, do I have any ground to stand on since he did not sign my lease? I don't want to kick them out if I can help it, but he is 2 months into a 12 month lease and I really don't want him smoking in my property for the next 10 months if I can prevent it.

2) The other side has an RV parked on the street outside. I have not pushed the issue yet as I just closed on two days ago and it has only been there a couple of days, but "word on the street" is that there is a guy and a pitbull living in it. I assume it is a relative of the tenants, but it is an eyesore as I would consider this a B class property and I want nothing to do with a possible vagrant and a pitbull. 

My questions: Since they did not sign my lease, what recourse do I have?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you guys have for this newbie!