Tenant filed bankruptcy, but lease expired

[Andrea F.]

Hi all - I am seeking advice on a tenant who was filed for bankruptcy. The interesting thing - I just noticed my property manager did not renew their lease (by error). Tenant's lease expired in November. The tenant filed bankruptcy 2/1/13. They owe around $3,000. I know we will never see a penny, and I would rather they just leave. However, they will not, and they refuse to pay current rent due after they filed backruptcy.

Any advice on how to remove them? Since their lease is expired anyway, do they have a right to be there, and do I still need to have the automatic stay lifted? If not, how do I have them leave? I just want the property vacated so that I can get it ready for a new tenant and thus collect rent.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Single family home in Lithonia, Dekalb County, Georgia.

Thanks,

Andrey