Can I sue for damages & backrent?
My tenants moved out pretty much during the night. They owe me 5 mo rent. I was in the process of eviction but they moved before I could send paper work. They were served a 14 day notice to quit as wel as a 30. Both went unanswered.
I did not have a security deposit but the place is filthy and they made many unauthorized changes. They painted as well as changed the locks on me. There is pen/crayon all over walls and holes.
I really can’t afford a lawyer and don’t think they’d pay even /judgment.
Should I just use Small Claims? Sue for the max of $2000? Can I sue for damages to repair and paint the place again? Do I need to have possesion given to me before I can clean up and re-rent? Thank you!

My tenant who gets SSI assistance hasn’t paid me since November Can I evict him with just a notice to quit document? There is no lease

eviction of tenant with lease
we have a 1y lease-have not had issues w/landlord. we rcvd from lndlrds atty notice to quit in 30d-lease states if lndlord may terminate lease but give 60d notice. Notice to quit did not come from a judge, not court date was given. Our rent is pd infull, ontime every mo & no damage has been done to property. no alterations have been done to property, have kept premisis clean, made no excesive noise-have not disturbed othr tnts- have not subleased-have done nothing to break lease agrement. we have not rcvd any kind of warning frm lndlrd in verbal or written form or rcvd a visit from lndlrd stating there have been problems. I am also 8 mo pregnant. What are our rights? We have always been in good standing with our lndlrds and don’t want this put on our record if we so wish to move again. Can they evict a tenant with lease for anyother reason than whats stated on lease? What can we do to fight this and keep our records clean of an eviction?

Eviction Process
If I am to evict a tenant, I understand that a Notice to Quit is required. If I sent a termination letter with much of the same wording would that be adequate or does it have to be a Notice to Quit, and also is this a legal form? If this letter was served to the tenant by a sheriff would that be enough to hold up in court?