Newbie - Please help - legal advice eviction/bad inherited tenant

[Keith Douglas]

Hi all, I really need some advice please - I have a new duplex I just closed on Monday last week, there is a tenant on one side. Vacant other side as of right now. I plan to owner occupy. His lease from prior owner is up end of July. As soon as I closed on the property I met with the tenant and gave him the standard application to fill out, so I can conduct the background/credit before signing as a standard practice. He verbally said he wants to stay. Notified him of rent increase to start in Sept. August will honor his current lease rate. Asked for him to let me know by Friday that week and to email the application, ID, and 2 recent paystubs. (rent increase of $10, and mow the yard or $40 increase no mowing)

After meeting Monday and not hearing from him, I sent him a text Friday if he wants to stay or leave, what did he decide. No response. Called him Monday (yesterday) and left a voicemail. Now it is Tuesday. Still nothing. It has been 8 days. Sent him a text (today) Tuesday morning - since I have not heard from him, I told him since I have not heard from him I am thinking he does not want to stay, I gave a 24 hr notice of entry to take pictures to list for rent. He then calls me immediately, in a full on rage, saying I have no right to give a 24 hr notice of entry. He says he doesn't have to let me know by today if he is staying (I didn't tell him I needed to know TODAY, just simply asking what his plans are.) His lease is up in 10 days. He falsely claims " you trashed my house" ( he is disgruntled by the seller and inspection process and repair of selling the duplex ). The phone call was so aggressive and enraged I've never experienced anyone like this before. It ended with scheduling a phone call to talk on this upcoming Saturday at noon with him. I do NOT want to renew with him now, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND I DO? lawyer? I would like a lawyer or someone to help me with the phone call, when I call him on Saturday. I want to make sure this is done the right way, done by the book. I've never experienced this. I greatly appreciate any advice.