Purchasing a Duplex in Vermont with tenants that need to go

[Terri O'Brien]

I am getting ready to put in an offer on my second rental property in Vermont.  The duplex has great tenants in the upper unit, but the tenants in the bottom unit are 3 months behind on the rent, and I have been told that the current owner is in the process of evicting them, but with COVID, they don't know how long the process will take.

My question is -  how should I phrase my offer?  Should it be contingent upon the removal of the current tenants?  I don't want to inherit this problem.  Thank you!