Does anyone know Tennessee Laws? Closing on our First Duplex!

[Jillia Virtue]

We are using FHA to house hack. We found a duplex near Oak Ridge TN and of course could not get the seller to tell tenants to leave! Figured we'll do it ourselves, one is month to month, the other's lease ends in May/June '21. We did not realize this should have been contingent on our offer, neither did our last minute agent...

So, to now. We're supposed to close March 31st! We are inheriting two tenants and need one too go asap for our FHA loan, they are month to month. Keep in mind we are coming from several states away. Our fha appraisal was pushed out as both tenants claimed to have covid.

My game plan-

Send 30 day notice via certified mail on day of/day after we close.

State additional 125% rent increase for any days past the day they are supposed to be out. Or what ever is legal, purhaps interest.

Call/email them 1 week in, to check on progress.

Schedule a final walk through for deposit refund asap after the 30 days.

Can I take deposits if there is no move in/out inspection given? There are holes in the walls and off door knobs etc etc... I doubt it was rented to them like that. If they don't have pictures, can I just take it out of their deposit and be safe? Their lease was a one page joke too.

My questions about them not leaving...

I believe the eviction courts are open in TN, are they?

Is the whole CDC moratoruim applicable to Tennessee?

Does it help that we are evicting to live there, in one unit? What software should I use? Should I have boots on the ground and get the notice to vacate posted on their door, and who?