Once you possess this license, affiliating with a licensed broker and notifying your state agency of such affiliation will make you an active licensee (commonly referred to as "agent").Only active licensees can subscribe to the MLS.

i would maybe consider offering them a few hundred dollars and having them sign something agreeing to vacate and that they are not due anything else back as far as possessions go.  

The lender won't go for that.Now, we don't know who took it, doesn't matter, the owner has possession and has care, custody and control of the property until they and you close.

But even so, at least it'll be a contract issue and not one of possession.

First for possession and back rent/fees; second for damage to the property.

Then after possession changes from you to them, refund them for unused days.It seems quite simple to me.

I didn't get possession until spring, for various reasons! 

They should also provide you with a copy of the lease (if you don't have it already) and any other paperwork pertaining to the tenants (applications, apartment condition report)  I'd let the current lease ride , and have them sign a new lease after you take possession.  

If you have the 15th in writing and she did not contact to extend and her belongings are gone, you have possession. 

That is, if the tenant hands over the keys they have relinquished possession of the property.