What to do with tenants during major renovation?

[Kim Abney]

I recently purchased an apartment complex with 7 buildings and 16 units.  These units requiring extensive renovation, due to many years of maintenance neglect.  6 of the units are occupied with tenants.  These tenants are not under a lease and paying month to month.  Should I ask the tenants to vacate the units, while the complex undergo a major renovation?  Your recommendation/response is greatly appreciated.

[Theresa Harris]

If 10 units are vacant, why not start with those?  Then get the 6 existing tenants to move into one of the new units and then renovate the last 6 unites.  Do not even try to do renos while tenants are living in the property. It will take way more time and there will be more problems.