Inherited a rental property with non-paying tenants

[Benny Cash]

Hi all, Looking for tips on how to handle a situation in which a mixed-use property was inherited with three non-paying tenants who had been given permission by the now-deceased owner to occupy the property without paying rent.  The story goes that tenants were down on their luck and couldn't make their rent, so the owner allowed them to stay until they could get back on their feet.  The property has been neglected and is in now complete disrepair, likely in teardown condition, and is an enormous tax burden on the beneficiary who inherited the property (significant back-taxes owed, high annual property taxes, etc).  What is the cleanest way to remove the tenants at this point, given that they had received prior permission from the deceased owner to stay, so that the property can be cleaned up and sold?  Is it just a matter of knocking on the door and notifying the tenants that circumstances have changed?  Or is it better to find a more "hands off" approach?  Thanks for any thoughts!

[Nathan Gesner]

Even if they were told they could live rent free, it's considered a verbal lease agreement which defaults to month-to-month. You can give them 30 days notice to vacate. If they refuse, you'll have to start the eviction process.

Since they are living there for free, there's no incentive for them to leave. You may consider paying them to get out. If you do that, don't pay until they're out and the locks are changed so they can't get back in.