Evicting Tenants on MFH purhcase.

[Osama Syed]

I am looking at a property that currently has tenants. This is a MFH with 2 Units. I plan on living in one of the units. 

Does anyone have experience with evicting tenants after purchasing a MFH and based on a quick google search I read up that in NJ as long as I plan to live in the MFH I can evict without reason, apart from that the NJ eviction moratorium is set to expire Jan 1 2022. 

Is there anything else I should keep in mind before pursuing this property?

[Joe P.]

You really should consider this situation beyond "the law says I can evict". @Mark F. made some great points, to which I'd like to add a few.

Number one, you're dealing with someone's life and where they hang their hat at night; in other words, unless the place is a total hellhole, I wouldn't expect them to just want to move. And if you're moving to evict, prepare to deal with someone hostile about the situation as well. Just because you have the money and the law on your side, doesn't mean this'll go easily or quietly.

Your best bet is to discuss the situation beforehand. Maybe offer up some cash in the deal to make a move palatable.

Consider this -- 2k and return of deposits to the current occupant if they're out by the time you close, say, in 60 days. Is 2k a lot of money? Not really. But for someone who likes where they live, perhaps that sum might be the "amicable" path versus trying to evict someone during an eviction moratorium, who may not want to go in the first place.

And let this be lesson number one for you, if this is your first property -- you're dealing with human beings. Whatever you conjure up in your head, I promise you, will probably not happen when rubber hits the road.