Do I have to tent?

[Christine Swaidan]

I am rehabbing a two family house. This is a house that shares a wall with another house but I do not own the other house. Husband built this house with his partner in 1983. The partner lived in his half for many years but sold it about 10 years ago. Our side has always been a rental. In the past we have approached the other owner about tenting for termites and he has always declined due to lack of funds. When our latest tenant moved out other owner approached me about tenting. Only problem is he wants me to pay for it and then he will pay me back. I said no way and then he said he could pay $500 (his half is $1100) and would repay the loan within two months. Obviously I don't consider this a great deal and I have no reason to believe that he will actually pay me the additional $600. But there is termite damage and now would be the best time for us because it is vacant.

How terrible would it be to just not take care of the termites right now? If I do front the money for this jerk how do I make sure I get paid back? My only other option is to do spot treatments on the half that I own and call it a day.