Evicting Previous Tenants Upon Purchase

[Lee Yoder]

I am considering buying a duplex at the county auction in a few weeks. I went by the property today and talked to the landlord of the neighboring property. He told me that one unit is vacant and the other is occupied by a couple drug addicts. Do these tenants have to leave immediately upon my obtaining the property, or do they still have to be evicted?

[Leah LaRue]

I would not listen to that sheriff if I were you. Talk to an attorney or check with some Ohio landlords/investors.

I will say this, though: I just inherited some tenants through a duplex purchase 6 months ago. I wanted them out immediately for several reasons. Ended up keeping them, thinking they deserved a shot to prove themselves, and if they messed up, I'd get rid of them. I cannot overstate how much I regret that decision. Just served a 3-day comply or quit notice today and will be filing eviction on Monday.