Q for realtor about rental house next door

Just wanted to see if the realtors on here (or anyone else who knows) can answer this question for me-

The house next door to us is a rental house. The most recent tenant moved out and the owner lives OOS (we met him once) and does not upkeep the property (leaves it up to the tenants- as such depending on who lives there the house either looks like crap or is actually upkept). A month after the most recent tenant moved out, the grass/weeds got out of control, neighbors complained to the town, the owner finally came to mow it. Somehow the building department got word of the house in this process and next thing I know there is a plaque on the door saying do not enter, that it is deemed unsafe. A realtor sign ends up going on the lawn "for rent" and the plaque on the door is taken down. 2 days later, the building department comes back and puts the plaques up again. Yesterday I saw a woman outside the house, who looked like she was showing it to 2 guys, and the plaques were removed again.

Are you allowed to rent out a house if the house is deemed unsafe by the town? I get she is trying to rent it but it doesn't seem right to me.

Q for realtor about rental house next door

I don't know the answer but I would ABSOLUTLY call the town EVERY time the plaque is taken down.

Re: Q for realtor about rental house next door

No, the house should not be occupied if it's deemed unsafe by the town.

Of course, the lawful owner of a house can rent it out, but if it's deemed uninhabitable by the town, no one should be living there.

However, some situations are easily fixable. I know there was a house in my town that didn't have a working heating system and the town deemed it uninhabitable, but if the owner fixed the heating system, it would be fine and people can occupy it.

So if that's in the works, then it could be rented and the tenants could move in post-fix.

Also, there are many homes that are unliveable but sold "as is" -- they are often foreclosures or short sales but not always. Sometimes homes are sold without working plumbing, heating, no kitchens. Investors/builders may buy "as is." So are you sure it's being shown as a rental and not for sale?

You could always call the town and inquire as to the situation with the house.

Re: Q for realtor about rental house next door

Thanks- it's most definitely for rent as the sign said "for rent" and the owner refuses to sell it for some reason although I would love for him to (the last tenants told me they put in an offer to buy but the seller said no.) the realtor just seems shady to me then if they keep taking the signs down when showing the place.

Re: Q for realtor about rental house next door