I would have your realtor have the seller give the tenants your name and phone number prior to you taking possession.

Do they care and respect other people's possessions?

In California, you have to add "and all in possession" wording to all eviction paperwork to cover those who is not on the lease document but who can claim tenant rights by the length of their stay.

There is no paperwork we use upon early termination; when we receive the keys to the unit from the tenant we have legal possession.  

I am going through an eviction and I need some clarityWhen a judgement for default is granted and the tenant already moved out, do I still need the writ of possession?

I've had tenants take a unit earlier than they preferred when I let them know that I give greater consideration to applicants willing to take possession within 7 days of unit being vacant.  

If I have a tax deed, and I have removed any questions about possession, either by having the taxpayer sell me his remaining interest, or by a successful ejectment, what do I then have in terms of ownership?  

They signed it when the lease was renewed and I referred them back to it often and even made sure they had a fresh copy in their possession a few months prior to lease termination.Just to provide some context for discussion, they had small kids and dogs and I expected some amount of wear and tear to the floors.

You can also warn them that the water may damage their possessions and you are not responsible for what happens.

If they don't leave during that process you'll have to pay the sheriff to serve your writ of possession and remove them ($90 in Pinellas).