His reasoning was he needed money to stay afloat (while collecting unemployment) and keep food on the table.

In my case, I like the flexibility of washing my car in the summer, having a secured spot for either me or my future tenants during the snow months knowing you can warm your car up right in eyesight.

under the kitchen sink, beside the hot water heater, and near the washing machine.  

We are on a hillside and every time it rains a large amount water comes down the street right next to me coming down that hill washing lots of rock and sediment into the cross street which is a small state highway.

I think that you can make a huge impression with freshly painted cabinets and new hardware, lighting, LVP, pops of special like tile flooring in bathrooms (if remodeling) and pressure-washing.

I guess my concern was he’s the one that’s been running it down for 15 years, I buy the place and 4 months into ownership it’s now a big deal to replace it.

Tenants aren't particularly happy when things break, as it makes you as the landlord look bad-- even if they tried to wash 7 loads of laundry in 1 cycle. 

By renting for a year, you'll also have to pay back the depreciation, but that should be something of a wash since it was just the one year. 

They are still using the washing machine and does not pay water bill.

You gotta be able to charge back some utilities, depending if they are washing equipment at the end of the day or if they run any power tools (non manufacturing, but just cutting?