I also learned not to rent to freshly divorced people.  

If there's no lease, and they are month to month, your best bet is probably to start fresh with new tenants, because a jump from 1400 to 2500 is pretty severe for anyone. 

On the upside, while the tenants may have to deal with being the first one to get cable, they are getting the advantages of a freshly renovated apartment.

.$15k forgivable to stay in this freshly rehabbed house with all new appliances, plus another 5k from the county. 

I have found them to be very responsible.B would be a no for me, because freshly divorced people never stay long.  

It's still pretty fresh however.

Originally posted by @Dawn Anastasi:There's already a HUGE thread about tenant applicants and the dumb things they say ... you should consider posting there versus starting a whole new thread.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/73741-tenant-applicants-say-the-dumbest-things Fresh threads are better.

And if there's fresh paint in just one room?

Perhaps the landscaping and fresh paint frightens them...

Lead with a positive (I'm not increasing your rent, I'm a very approachable landlord, I deliver freshly baked cookies when I come to check your smoke detectors, etc...).