You're either going to find out real quick who's taking care of it, who really owns it, or in 20 years, it's yours.You might also consider searching the archives at your local paper where the obit or legal notices were posted for the owners death or probate.The adverse possession aspect, however, would be real interesting.

Its an idea to try to avoid that demerit on your FICO and you're done with the headache of rental defaults and death threats. 

Also if the state specifically states probate files but doesn't mention death certificates etc, again another source.

Moving,Moved,Probate,Inherited, Passed Away,Deceased,Executor, Heirs,Death, Code Violation, Code Enforcement, Condemned, Condemnation, Mold, Tear Down, Fire Damaged, Abandoned, Very Motivated, Distressed, Lost Job, Divorce,Bankruptcy, Fire Sale, Health Problems, Health Issues, Must Sell, Liquidation, TLC, Short Sale, Vacant, Motivated, Divorce, Fixer, Fixer-upper, Must sell, Make offer ,Estate, Absentee, Transfer, Transferred, Vacant, Handyman, Bankrupt,  Retire, Retired, Retiring, Investor, Investment, Deal, Probate,inherited foreclosure ,short sale, preforeclosure, pre-foreclosure, pre foreclosure, estate, bring, all offers, vandalized, uninsured, junker, must sell , investor special, special warranty deed, quit claim deed ,heir ,heirs ,TLC ,motivated ,fixer ,fixer upper, fixer-upper, deferred maintenance, repairs, as-is, as is, relocation, rented, tenant, do not disturb tenant, owner will carry, owner will carry 2nd , owner finance , owner will finance , personal rep ,personal representative, estate, trustee, basement issues, basement repairs, basement problems ,foundation issues ,foundation repairs ,foundation problems, structural issues, structural repairs, structural problems, no FHA, lease option, engineer report, price change, sell house fast, sell my house fast, sell a house fast, sell your house fast, sell home fast, need to sell house fast, need to sell my house fast, we buy houses, we buy homes, I buy houses, I buy homes, cash home buyers, cash house buyers, fast home buyers, fast house buyers, how to sell house fast, sell house quickly, sell house for cash, buy my house, buy my house fast, sell without a Realtor, sell house without an agent, sell house with tenant, sell house without repairs, sell vacant house, contractors special, handyman specialnow copy and paste!

However, I got in this business due to the death of my own Father when I was young which left a deep impression on me. 

Final Thoughts:I have been living with this mistake for 10 years, I have tried numerous methods to turn it and, I don't qualify for HARP or HAMP, additional subdivision, turn attic into a studio, add a bedroom to the current 2 bedroom, both will be costly and no guarantee the town will allow it.The projected future investment needed to update this place is crazy high, I haven't figured future rental increase or appreciation to find a breakeven point yet, but I think it's obvious it is way out there in years, and this place is starting to take a physical and mental toll on me.

My hometown is kind of a ghost-town that has taxed itself to death, so I've been looking at my neighboring towns/cities.

I haven't seen a bank owned home yet that still has all of the former owners belongings in it, unless it was in probate due to a death and the courts were handling the sale.

Man, I -- like @Lucas Carl  -- love these "Airbnb is on it's death bed, VRBO is dying" threads.

Assuming your state regulations are silent on the subject (death of a tenant) you charge/they pay what ever is required according to the lease.