Tenant without gas/water for 13 years

[Ryan Hastings]

Where to begin with this one....

Under contract on a property with a Section 8 tenant (schizophrenic) who has apparently had gas disconnected for 13 years, and water shut off for 3 years. I cannot get a clear answer as to why the gas has been shut off, but apparently water was shut off due to a running toilet, and tenant refused to let anyone in to fix the issue, and then changed the locks. At this point, landlord apparently decided to leave things alone and forget about it?

Fast forward to today, we (current owner and myself) tried to get in after owner left her a note stating we would be coming today at 9:00 am. She does not have a cell phone, so he corresponds with her via notes left on her door. As mentioned, tenant changed locks so thus we couldn't get in (go figure). Owner is now on the phone with everyone and their brother (local police, DA, codes, etc) trying to figure out what to do with this because apparently my concern finally sparked some urgency in him. 

I am seeing this as an opportunity to negotiate quite a robust discount if I can get this sorted out myself, but I also would love to leave this mess in his court to deal with. Ideally, I'd like to call up the local Section 8 folks and get this poor woman relocated to an assisted living facility since she is clearly not in her right mind and needs help. Also do not want to get current owner in hot water since he's holding a 15 year note for me. 

What are my options with this? Any advice/insights greatly appreciated! 

[Jim K.]

In care facilities with diagnosed schizophrenic and advanced Alzheimer's patients, gas is frequently shut off. This was likely a care decision. Call up the patient's case manager or social worker. You should be able to find out how to contact them through the Section 8 folks and the tenant's family. The tenant is probably in there with space heaters as well.

Ryan, despite your high-minded voiced concerns about "getting this poor woman relocated to an assisted living facility," what you really want is her out of there and someone else in who is stable and can probably pay more rent. If you weren't buying that place, this tenant could go to hell in a handbasket as far as you're concerned. BS yourself as little as possible regarding your transparent altruistic concerns and sympathy.