I have one rental house and I am in the process of getting it painted before I
let someone move in. I would be afraid to let the tenant paint as the house has nice molding and trim
and would not want that screwed up.
As far as carpeting, in our area it is a requirement that the carpets are cleaned before someone new moves in. I have the tenant sign a carpet agreement that they will either have them professionally
cleaned (Not renting a rug doctor) or that is the first thing out of their deposit.
I would advise the couple not to put a dime into the house. They can contact the county courthouse,
and first check to see if taxes are paid, which is one of the first signs of a foreclosure if they are not paid.
While their they can find out what bank holds a mortgage on the house and then contact them to see
if the payments are actually current.
If they are not, and they want to buy the house, let the bank know that too. When the house is
appraised, it will be worth LESS if NOT PAINTED and they can maybe buy it cheaper. Once they own it,
then put money in it, but not before.
The paper is full of stories of landlords who have a house headed to foreclosure, they get a deposit
and talk the renter into making repairs, and then the sheriff shows up with a 3 day eviction notice from the bank. They don't get their deposit back and literally have to be out of the house in 3 days or the
locks are changed and anything left in the house is now bank property.
Have them work with the base housing coordinator and they may be able to help them find out
if this is a foreclosure case and what to do. Good luck.