He opted to take his chances that the landlord will take him to court.

The original owner (son) who quitclaims/sells it to you would have a better chance than you would.

The greatest value I bring to an investment is my ability to put elbow grease into a work in progress, those words steal my chance to contribute...Anyways, how you all are keeping sane during this time. 

We just hate to lose a chance at a refi with these low rates. 

And the majority of our country seems to support this kind of behavior.I'm not insensitive to the fact people are laid off, some are sick, some have relatives that are sick, some just finished a bout of chemo and didn't get the chance to catch their breath before this thing hit, some just lost a husband, some just lost a limb to diabetes and can't get back to work, some just ran away from an abusive or drug-addicted spouse, etc.

Too risky to chance with so many unknowns in my opinion. 

@Mike D.Fat Chance - That's exactly the point - They will NOT do that  - It will fall only on Landlords & PMs. 

Offer some incentive like 1/2 off 1st months rent to get some call activity and screen for someone with a safe job that has a low chance of getting laid off.

Get up at every meeting when you have the chance and tell people exactly what it is you are "going" to do.Networking is a lot like dating.If you are looking for partners the first time in the room, you are probably not going to "jump in bed" at the first wink and nod.

I'm a flooring contractor in Indianapolis, my commercial projects are still on going with little chance of shutting down.