The worst case scenario would be civil asset forfeiture followed by criminal prosecution if the landlord knew the property was being used for criminal purposes.

There are actual criminal penalties that may be ascribed for being an unlicensed real estate broker in Ohio.The criminal penalty for such activity is a 1st degree misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine for each day during the violation.Just so you know the maximum jail sentence for a 1st degree misdemeanor is 180 days in jail.The above is not inclusive of any civil penalties, if they ever arose.  

Use a certified mail or something including a receipt as proof that you mailed it, and of course keep copies of everything you mail for your own records.See CA Civil Code Section 1954 for specific details.

@Aaron Mazzrillo,You may feel differently when someone bring litigation against YOU and you lose because your self-drafted contract doesn't stand up in court.Happy Investing!

Ended up going through with it under under threat of lost earnest money and litigation. haven't regretted it yet.  

Hi Stas: First, you need to check the Civil Code for your State as it should have a list of items that can be legally deducted from your security deposit.

Not to steal your thread.. however I think you will get a kick out of this.one of the ones I bought his year in North Portland.... the rumor from neighbors was there was a car in the basement.. well there was no driveway or any way to get into the basement from the exterior so I did not believe it.. we finally get possession after 2 years ( had to litigate it)  and lo and behold my trash out guys says there is indeed a car sitting in the basement.. so apparently this hoarder extreme took it down there piece by piece and put it back together. 

Even in Libya, where they have civil war, they are still producing.

Similar to your situation, cash offer since no banks would finance under litigation.

/ medium reward).I would never dream of being an attorney (at least not for others) but I do wish I would have gone to law-school (currently I sit in on BK classes, trusts classes, litigation processes, the fun stuff that can make me money..