Her goal in all of this should be to keep the unit clean and presentable to potential applicants.Gail

I feel she may not see the humor in this but I do.

The NPV is the Net Present Value of an income stream, discounted to the cost of capital (or required rate of return) and the IRR sets the NPV function = 0 to get a rate of return.

I ended up having a better opportunity present itself so have dedicated my capital towards that project, but am now revisiting the build option.

Things like:- who directs the work- are there contracts in place for the work- how are the contractors paid (it is generally better to pay them on a job basis and from an invoice they present)- who provides the tools- do they have their own insurance- do they advertise- do they work for othersThose are just some of the tests that could be used. 

I like the idea to get official inspection done (from the City, for example) and present it as a proof that the work was not done or was done incorrectly, or no proof of permits.

Being that it is more than likely brick veneer, I would also look into the possible water damage that could be present behind the brick.

The key, IMO and experience, is in how you present it to them and to actually avoid legal proceedings. 

I know Pitt County very well and have lived here for a total of thirty years (1968 - 1991 and 2004 - present).

If you are on the deed and his ownership interest is through an LLC that's on the deed, I would think this does not present a problem.