The saga continues...bed bugs and felons

[Rebecca Mochel]

So doing a home inspection on a 4 unit and after 3 hours and unit 1 and unit 2 almost completed last place to do is the bathroom and in the tub a dead bed bug is found. Thus after talking to the tenants that were very forcoming regarding spending 9 years in prison and living at the residence for the last 4 months. Incarceration for violence btw...as if that wasn't enough the 3rd unit totally infested with bed bugs millions...tenant is in hospital so they cleaned the lower apts but never got the 3rd and no idea because the inspection was stopped as the inspector can not proceed due to having other properties to do after mine and can't bring bed bug to his next client. Is this all a big warning to run??? This is my first endeavor into becoming a landlord. 

[Nathan Gesner]

I wouldn't necessarily run from this deal but it reeks of a trouble. If it's a low-class property in a low-class community, I would walk away. If it's a low-class property but in an upper-class neighborhood, I would see this as an opportunity to increase value and consider moving forward with the purchase.

You can't just "clean" an apartment and get rid of bed bugs. They have to be professionally removed. You also don't mention if the violent criminal is under a long-term lease, month-to-month, or just verbal.

If the property is worth the trouble, I would try to convince the Seller to declare the home uninhabitable and force all the tenants out (check local laws). Once empty, have it professionally treated for bed bugs. Then you can buy it vacant and clean. It's a long shot and it would require you to go a few months with little or no income, but it's what I would do based on the information provided.