Moving inherited tennants in new acquisition.

[Makoto Hawkins]

I presently rent in the nicer, updated of two units within a duplex. I have made an offer to purchase the property from my landlord. I would like to owner-occupy the dated unit and rent out my current unit that should fetch more in monthly rent. The tenant presently in the dated unit has a lease ending in about 5 months. He is a very good tenant from what I can tell living alongside him in the building and I'd like to keep him if possible.

Is it uncommon for a buyer/owner-occupier to move tenants into the more profitable units within their building? Are there strategies to doing this that minimize risk of turnover? I'd love to hear learnings from others on the BP forums.