i need advise i bought a duplex on may 19th and there is 1 tenant that had a verbal month to month agreement with the previous owner the fist is coming up and now that i am trying to get a lease signed they are doing everything to avoid signing a agreement and dont want to obey by the new rules and are requesting to be allowed to go into the other unit and take down any repairs they did for the previous owner like smoke alarms shelves in the closet ceiling fans light bulbs etc . i want them out what can i do i havent received any payment from them yet either because they said they pay there rent on the 23rd of each month . do i have to keep them even tho i have never signed any lease with them i have only had the property for 12 days. please advise ...

I realize it can be location specific but in general do you guys know if it increases the value of the house to take a 4 bedroom house and convert it to a 3 bedroom house to add a master bath and walk in closet where there is none (and probably increase the size of a not very big master bedroom). 

Maybe a lower hourly rate to frame in a laundry closet, for example. 

The city came out and cut it and charged for it, since it wasn't paid, they foreclosed.When i stepped in the house It looked like the people left for a weekend and never returned.fridge was full of food/sink was full of dishes/closet full of clothes/etc. beds/couches/armoire/dressers/old videotel computer/old 3 channel tvsome i was able to sell on craigslist other things  donated/scrappedit was a task getting it cleaned out.

Redo the kitchen, leaving the floor.Remove dividing wall between dining room and main room.Remove carpet, refinish all hardwood floors.Expand half bath into the neighboring closet to make a full bath.

I don't think it should matter how/what you advertise it--if it looks like a 1 bedroom w/door, closet inside, etc. it obviously looks like a 1 bedroom & the tenant would pay as agreed in the lease agreement they'll sign with you. 

All the closet doors were painted with artist drawings.

If the closet is the only issue you might be able to bolt in some wardrobes to qualify, and that would be something the tenant would appreciate.  

There is no garage and no basement, but lots of good closet space and a laundry/utility room with some storage.

Add a closet. 2 exterior doors, 1 interior door.