And what if they smoke in there for several months?

People can spend $5 per day on cigarettes or drugs, so they have money.Also, a lot of elderly people are living on social security. 

The house was beach pink with doors falling off, crap all in the yard, smelled like a cigarette, moldy carpet glued to the sidewalk outside, etc... after we finished making it beautiful and white, pulling carpet and sealing sidewalk with a nice color, landscaping, etc, a lady teacher yelled "thank you, that really transforms the look around here, we appreciate all your work".That was cool.

Oh wait, and there were cigarettes once....But, it's usually flushable wipes because the TV says they can flush flushable wipes, which would seem reasonable. 

For instance, I may have learned that I didn't want to rent to tenants who didn't completely fill out their applications anymore, or to tenants who show up late to appointments or who smell like smoke - whatever. 

I react to cat and smoke.

@Kevin Allen - These are for Chicago, but likely very similar for other local housing authorities...MOST COMMON FAIL ITEMSInoperable light fixtures and improperly wired electrical outlets (reverse polarity, open ground, hot neutral reverse, etc.)Deteriorated and unstable paint on surfaces (peeling, cracking, chipping, etc.) in units built prior to 1978 where children under the age of six reside or will resideMissing, inoperable or incorrectly mounted smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsBroken or inoperable windows (cracked glass panes, broken locks, drafty frames, etc.)Exposed electrical wires/connections (light fixtures missing globes, electrical junction boxes missing cover plates or knockout plugs, breaker boxes with open sockets, etc.)Broken/faulty door locks and drafty doorsCutting hazards, including protruding sharp nails pipes/metals objects with jagged edges,deteriorated sheet metal, cracked glass blocks on windows,etc.

Ensure photos show every window and door.Note any visible signs of damage to roof: __________________________________________________________________When walking inside the home, please pay attention to any signs of abuse, neglect, or damageDo you smell any unusual odors like smoking or pets?

Have your father in law go in with proper notice to check the furnace filter or smoke detectors and take a look at the interior, hope he has keys.. have him take photos of inside and out. 

There were two interior violations that have already been fixed-no smoke detectors in vacant unit (because it was being painted), and no handrail on stairs (apparently there had never been one there).The neighbor feels that the downspout in question (with the code violation for needing repair) drains into an underground pipe that is broken (apparently he invited someone onto the property at some point and they used dye packets and his own hose to confirm his suspicion-I tried to called the sewer folks but they didn't feel this is something they would have done), and the water drains through his retaining wall, which he feels is damaging it.