Renovating with Tenant

[Jenna Harris]

I just closed on my first 2-unit property out of state, and the sale triggered an inspection from the County Health Department. The inspection found several issues that will require a relatively large rehab that we were not planning on completing until the tenant moves out. (These issues were not found by my pre-closing home inspection, or the contractor I had inspect and quote for light rehab but that is another issue.) The County has given me 2 weeks to complete the repairs, or I will face a large fine. One side is vacant, the other has a tenant. I would like to go to the property and do most of the work myself in a few days to avoid high labor costs, but am not sure what to do with the tenant. 

My question is: What would you suggest I do with the tenant? Ideally I would like to offer to put her in a hotel for a few days while the work is being done, but I'm not sure if this is customary.

I'd love to hear your thoughts/experiences/advice with similar situations. Thanks.

[Nathan Gesner]

I agree that your inspectors should be held accountable.

I would talk to the tenant first before offering any compensation. You may get lucky and find they are willing to sleep on a friend's couch or let you work around them. If not, then you can offer some money to compensate them for the trouble or put them up in a hotel.