You have to follow the law and the lease provisions. The lease should say what the tenant and the landlord each should and shouldn't do. The law has specific notice and procedure requirements for eviction.

Do you mean that the former owner took the tenants to court because they violated the lease, including defaulting on rent payment? Or did the tenants take the former owner to court because the landlord didn't follow the lease requirements or because the house had major repair or habitability problems? What were the outcomes of the court proceedings?

You should consult with a real estate lawyer in your area who handles landlord/tenant disputes and who also handles evictions.

THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.