Raising Low Rents on Inherited Tenants in CA

[Sarah Martin]

We are closing on a 7 unit in California in just a few days with rents that are very low- $450 instead of $630.  Long-term, month to month tenants, rents have not been raised in years.  We will immediately raise the rents as much as we can but we are limited in CA regarding how much we can raise them. I am looking for creative ideas for bringing the rents up to the market rate. 

Is it worth having the tenants sign a year lease so that at the end, I can opt to not renew it and move them out that way?  RUBS?  Any other thoughts? Look for violations that would provide just cause?  Renovations that would be serious enough to require permits and needing to vacate the building?  I'm not set on getting everyone out, but I do want to see this property perform.