Let them do this and be done with it.GailGail,Initially they denied having any responsibility,  and only after they found out we knew it was them did they admit to it, apologise and offer to pay.

I present the terms and they accept or deny, it's not as sophisticated as local HML re: points, inspections, or other elements of control. 

My original plan was to get a personal loan but the request was denied from a few online lenders due to my lack of proof of income on my tax returns since I write everything off.

I don't believe a permit was ever pulled for this.I was going to fix it up to make it safe for use again (it has exposed nail points on the underside of the roof, and the floor is sagging in some areas).However, what I'm wondering is: even if I fix it up, and a tenant gets injured in there anyway (trips and falls) and sues me, will my insurance deny liability coverage anyway, if they find out it doesn't have a permit?

Yes, if they are denied.

"Denied based on income".

tell them basic wear & tear is no biggie. just wanna make sure they dont trash the place. if u dont want to do this - or if they deny your request - drive by & check out the exterior (if a SFH).

Can't believe a mentor/coach here on BP sent me a request to endorse him the other day having never done business with him, so I had to deny that automated request.....he should have known better.There are a few on BP that mentor and I'm fine with that, I don't go in hammering them on just anything, I realize it's a business.

As I am a citizen of the wealthiest country in the world, I honestly believe that NO American should be hungry, NO American should be denied access to an affordable education, and NO American should go without health care.

That takes the burden off me when I have to reject a potential tenant because then I can say "due to a third-party decision, your application has been denied."