Advice in AL: what to do with tenants in foreclosed properties?

[Lynn DeShazo]

Hello BP Pros in Alabama: 

I'm looking for advice on applicable Landlord/Tenant laws concerning occupants of foreclosed property now up for sale. My venture-specific partnership is about to purchase a block of REOs in Birmingham, AL, all 120 days or more in arrears. Six of the properties are occupied. Our first step will be to reach out to the tenants (we assume they are tenants, not buyers) and determine what their situations are. Do they have leases, what rent are they paying, proof of payments, etc..

Does anyone know what rules apply to a tenant's right to stay in the property when it has been foreclosed?  Will we need to honor any existing leases (assuming the tenant can bring payments up to date in the specified period)?  Since the property ownership is changing hands, can we go ahead and ask them to move out by a certain date? 

We are not planning on holding any properties as rentals, unless it's a short-term arrangement while a lease expires. 

Thanks for any help.