For repairs, in the lease, stipulate that 100% of repairs are the responsibility of the renter and if he cant pay them directly, the money then comes out of escrow.

It was a lot of money, so, I wanted to own the responsibility for the risk of taking this huge step.Also, one of my stipulations was that I was only interested in properties with tenants in them.

It should be stipulated in the P&SA contract somewhere...Kudos,Mary 

You can buy it as-is and still stipulate that the originating issue be fixed.

I forgot to say that there is no language in the Form 21 contract that stipulates a lease contingency. 

They do have certain stipulations though.

If they are desperate to get out and want to save their credit instead of walking away from it, they might be willing to refinance *with you* and give you the reins with the stipulation that you be able to refinance later and get them off the mortgage too.   

Should I forward the deposit straight to the attorney and if so what other stipulations can I put in the contract to make sure I'm protected and can still purchase the home at a great price?   

Is that just added stipulations added from the mortgagor due to the cost of reno being attached to the price?   

Does it specify or stipulate how the security deposit will be calculated and returned?