Eviction at Christmas: Scrooge or Good Business?

[Amy Thatcher]

I recently (late Sept. 2018) purchased a duplex in FL. The property was fairly run down, i.e. overgrown yard, the occupied unit has window coverings consisting of aluminum foil and/or bed sheets/blankets, additionally, there is work that could certainly improve the unit, although the tenants expressed no concerns to previous owner or to me when I took over.  Basically, it is filthy, smelly and difficult to tell what the apartment actually looks like. Their side, 2/1, was rented for 700 with landlord paying electric.  (The story was the tenants were there for 5 years and always paid their rent the first of the month.) The other side was vacant and in need of some TLC.  During the purchase process I mentioned to the owner I would be having tenants pay their own electric and I thought the rent was low.  She apparently relayed this to the tenant because the existing tenant moved the electric into their name (the previous owner let them keep the deposit with the electric company) and agreed to pay 725.00.  I did NOT sign a lease with the tenant and there was no existing lease when I took ownership.  (I was also under the impression it was a couple and two children, since that point a mother of the female tenant has been revealed as living there).  I have been working on improving the property and have a tenant moving into the vacant side next week.  That side is a 1/1.  The rent is 750.00 plus electric.  

The existing tenants paid 725.00 the first week of October. The beginning of November they paid 600.00 requesting a week to pay the balance of 125.00 (by Nov. 10th).  I agreed. I asked on the 18th if they had the balance of the rent and was told no (mother's social security issue).  I have not received or been contacted about the rent balance and in less than a week another month will be due.

Since there is no lease, I believe I can provide them with a 15 day notice to vacate.  I do not want to continue with rent issues and prefer to improve the overall property.  My dilemma is timing.  I would greatly appreciate input from readers on the best way to proceed.  I am inclined to give them a 15 day notice this weekend and allow them to stay through the end of the years provided they pay, in full, the rent for December and remainder of November.  Personally, my thoughts are conflicted because of the two young children and elderly mother, despite knowing this is a business and they are responsible for their actions.  Thank you!!