First-Time Landlord: Tenant Refuses to Vacate After Lease Ended – What Are My Options?

Hi everyone, I’m a first-time landlord, and I need some advice on how to handle a difficult situation. My father owns a rental property, and I’ve been managing it on his behalf. Here’s the issue: We had a tenant whose lease ended some time ago. Despite multiple requests, they’ve not vacated the property, even though we extended the timeline to accommodate them. Recently, during a phone call, we agreed that they would leave by the end of this month (31st December 2024), but I’m not confident they will follow through. Additionally, they have unpaid dues (rent, utility bills, etc.) that I’ve insisted they settle before leaving. I’ve made it clear that these payments must be completed before they vacate, as it would be difficult to track them down later. The property is also slated for reconstruction soon, and the building management has deemed it unsafe to stay in after the lease’s expiration. I’ve already warned the tenant that if they fail to vacate by the agreed date or settle their payments, I’ll have to escalate this legally, including filing an FIR with the local police. As a first-time landlord, I’m unsure of the best way to proceed if they still refuse to leave or delay payments further. What are my options in this situation? Should I hire a lawyer to issue a formal eviction notice? Is filing an FIR a reasonable step? Any advice on handling this effectively without causing unnecessary complications would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!