If the original lease allowed subleasing you can't unreasonably deny the original tenant the opportunity to sublease to a qualified candidate as a one to one replacement of a departing tenant.

There was some damage done to the house when the fire department came to contain the fire.  

If in one of the townships or cities located within the Cincinnati area then their zoning departments will need to be consulted.  

This is not always 100% so but typically it is depending if you talk to the residential lending department or if you go straight to the commercial lending department.

Are there any general  repairs that would typically need to be done or is it possible to determine what may need to be done by going to the city Building department to determine when the last permits were pulled?  

If you encounter a Category vacant home you still must complete the required repairs.Vacant Building Sale Review Program https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspecti...The City of Saint Paul requires a review of the sale of all vacant buildings.

@Chase Leavitt Sorry, the Arizona Department of Real Estate requires the licensing education be done in a class room.

@Zachary Kane Check with the county zoning department.

In one apartment, that we took over from a departing student,  we did not even meet the LL until after we had lived there 6 months.  

When taking on vendors, suppliers, or consultants, credit departments use D&B to get credit reports on companies and look at their financial health.