New Investor| 1st time Investor | Eviction during COVID

[Kim Hud]

Hey everyone, 
Just went under contract on my first rental that I will househack, a fourplex/4plex/quad in Chesapeake, VA, using a FHA 203kLoan. The house currently has tenants in each unit. My agent and I tried to get the seller to agree to delivering the property vacant but they wouldn't do it saying:
1) holidays coming 
2) COVID is happening so they want to the tenants to be ok
3) the tenants have been living there for a decade+ so the seller thinks of them as family and doesn't want to ask them to leave 
4) what if the deal doesn't go through and they are left with an empty property. 

We countered with them paying credit toward closing which they agreed. 

So my question is getting the tenants out when we close in December. Two reason I do not want to keep these tenants:
1) Their rent is way below market value ie some are paying $300 for rent
2) This is a rehab loan and I am fully renovating the place

The tenants are on a month-to-month lease and know that the property is being sold. The seller let the tenants know there is a possibility for them to be asked to move if the property is sold. 

My plan is to give the tenants notice at the time I take possession of the property that they must vacate the premise at the of their lease  (they are month-to-month) in on January 31st. 

Does anyone have any advice on how to do this properly?

[Account Closed]

Congrats on your new purchase!

I agree with Jon and of course its just my opinion. But don't evict them in December. It's the holidays. It's been an extremely difficult year for everyone and it's just not worth it. Your remodel can wait until 2021 it doesn't have to start on day 1. I would give them 45-60 days notice and deliver it to them when you take ownership in December. If you need one of the spaces to live in then offer one of the tenants a little bit of money to vacate early. Maybe a months rent or something. If they're not paying market rent then it's a small drop in the bucket but may mean the world to them. That way they leave when you need them to and you can sleep well at night. If they won't leave then you'll have to follow VA eviction rules and start your remodel once they vacate.