How would you handle this on P&L?

[Jon Blackburn]

Hi Team,

I recently closed on a multi-family property where the seller allowed a new tenant to move in to a unit needing rehab right before closing. He collected a security deposit, and told the guy to keep his receipts from fixing up the place and that the cost would be deducted from the rent (HORRIBLE situation to inherit...I know). 

The silver lining is that the guy is doing great work, and it was something I was going to need to pay for anyways. We're still ironing out the numbers, but hypothetically let's say the rent is $400/month and the total job was $2,400. If I give the tenant 6 free months of rent to compensate, isn't that going to make my P&L look like I've had a vacant unit for 6 months? How would you address this? Should I pay him $400/month and then have him immediately pay me $400 in return, so that I'm showing income on the unit?