I background checked extensively, this was a big surprise.   

If for instance the service life is 10 years and they are 5 years old, it seems reasonable to charge their security deposit 50% of the costs of replacing the damaged units.Here is the HUD Service Life list if you are interested:https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/EUL_FOR_CNA_E_TOOL.PDF Good Luck! 

Are you the money and he is the hands guy for instance?  

My tenant travels extensively for long periods of time.

Americans and Canadians can borrow at much lower interest rates by going overseas in some instances.

Lenders that offer loans for foreign national buyers have access to financing up to 80% in some instances. 

If you pictured putting an aluminum extension ladder across the top, do you think it would fail? 

I am in South Carolina also and have extensive experience dealing with purchasing and selling properties with title issues.

@Greg Scott I'm not sure what you've been looking at abroad but, especially today, investing overseas is in many instances much more profitable and less risky than in the US, where you also run all the risks that you mentioned.If the profitability and the risks would be similar, it could be argued that it's better/easier to invest in your own backyard so I totally understand where you're coming from.

For instance in Arkansas and in a lot of states, if you make a claim as a third party on behalf of a "client" ie the owner of the surplus, the state may limit you to a finders fee of only 10%.