tenant wants to stay

[Stephen Schoon]

Evening Y'all

I'm currently under contract for an occupied sfh. the contract dictates i will assume the house vacant. the tenant was given their 30day and now has requested to meet with me because they want to stay. under normal circumstances is say, sure if you pass my screening process that wont be a problem, but there are a few complications.

firstly, the house needs a new hot water tank (ive been told it doesnt work), a whole new hvac system (the current heater does not work and the only window unit is broken... i guess they have a bunch of space heaters). it *needs* 3 windows (broken/old), but i plan to replace them all.  and to do the hvac system the electrical panel needs updating to 200amp service.  and thats just the stuff i know about. inspection is next week.

their rent is 650 now and thats under market. after repairs i should be able to get 750 (maybe upwards of 800). 

it blows my mind that anyone would rent under those circumstances. that could be good and/or bad as far as having them as a tenant. their current lease is month to month and is a halfway-filled-out basic (garbage) lease.

under the assumption they can clear screening and put up money for deposit/last month and everything else looks good on paper, would YOU let them stay? why or why not? 

thanks,
steve