Purchased property with existing tenants; Tenants not paying rent

[Brian Olencki]

Hi everyone, I just closed on my first property this past week in Rhode Island. It was a duplex with existing tenants on a month to month tenancy. The tenants did not pay rent for two months while we were under contract claiming to be "waiting for the new owner to to pay them". I have already delivered 5 day pay or quit notices that expire today. I have also sent 30 notices for the termination of their Tenancy. The tenant sent me a message this morning stating they will be taking the missed rent up with the previous owner (my guess is they are hoping to never have to pay). Do I inherit this missed rent making it my responsibility to collect it/issue repercussions? Would the missed rent be my money at this point?