The outside foundation wall may have to be dug out and sealed with a waterproof sealant.  

The windows get extra wet and prone to mold if we don't clean them constantly, for example, and extra energy from having to vacuum spider webs off the ceiling from bugs getting in so easy from poor sealing around windows and doors.  

Lessons learned I'm sure for the next screening ( I understand tenants were inherited and due diligence is somewhat different )A note on the clean up, are you donating the food ( still store sealed, I would throw away anything that is open ) and clothes to an organization in need?

The file was sealed so the eviction never shows up in public records.

I would recommend swapping out smoke and CO alarms with the newer 10-year sealed ones.

I am planning to seal his gate off on my side with a second fence if there are no answers.

lattice at homedepot/lowes and frame it in with 2 by 4s or 2 by 2s for lower profile and hinges and latch on the gate section. wood parts wouldnt look or function too bad if sealed and painted.

They may have patched the roof, sealed around the chimney, etc. and let the drywall air dry without looking behind the drywall or under the floor covering. 

.) - whose great idea was it to create pipe threads that need either tape or pipe dope to actually seal?

Just paintin' er white.My vote is repaint it.Coming from the staining/sealing world, stripping it will not get it all and be a terrible mess and cost a fortune.