BTW: it's not as simple as just "giving" it to him.

Simple. 

The elements that make a contract a binding contract are pretty simple.

I learned the first two from BP, the third is a simple fraction. 

There is a fairly simple way to deal with this, which requires a certain court action, in addition to the petition for probate. 

The calculus is really very simple -- I want to live in a nice, desirable, safe neighborhood, where landlords get killed with high house prices and low rents.

Tile floors for example may last 100 years while carpeting and drapes are good for about ten on average or a roof, anywhere from 10 years (roll roofing) to composition 20 -25 or metal roofs 50 years or more and tile roofs even longer.

Simple.  

@Adam Valenta  Per the law, the seller must have fee simple title, so you couldn't do a SLO, but you can do assignments or just straight lease options. 

Obviously, if it blocks safe access to things, looks dangerous, etc. it will be an issue, but the simple fact its no longer a necessary part of the apartment shouldn't be.