If they don't you should have an attorney send a demand letter (these usually aren't too expensive, especially if you write the draft and then the attorney edits it to make sure its in compliance and something they are willing to send, as some let you do). 

@John Minnix, that is why I decided to write about it.

Since it's easy and advantageous to write off in the same year, It is easy for me to be consistent in that manner, but I don't think we have that choice, we have to follow what IRS allowing.

I had a lawyer write up an agreement.

thanks Zachary, I read where in order for me to write off the investment expense that I would have to be putting in 15 hours per week since as an investor since I'm full time W2 with a different employer. 

Paid $800 for a structural engineer to write up a 10 page piece of fluff telling us all the ways we could spend money to fix the sinking but settled foundation.

OK get the easiest out of the way - Depreciation does give you a current year write off. 

Of course like any large project there was ups and downs but I don’t want to write a book.

I've created a 6 months to property schedule for myself and today's task are to use BP forums to ID Pros in my area, read from the book "ABCs of REI", and write about how REI aligns with my life goals so I can check the first one off the list.

@Travis OglesbyGet an attorney to write up the agreement between people whose it as it will list maintenance requirements, putting money aside for repairs etc and who does what.You will need to get everyone to agree as well.