Southwestern Virginia, house needs repairs, suggestions? (Radford: renter, neighborhood, tenant)

[Mahdiya]

Hi, I own a house in a small southwestern Virginia town, where I do not live right now, due to my employment. I'd like to rent out the house, but right now it needs some major repairs, and I don't have money to pay for the repairs.

I've thought of offering the house for rent as-is, and offer reduced rental rate if the tenant is able and willing to do some of the work, but I'm not sure of the legality of this arrangement.

I can do some of the work myself, but I'm a single mom, and right now I'm living two hours away, so making the trek to the house even on alternate weekends is nearly impossible.

Anyone here have any suggestions?

The house is located within reasonable driving distance of Radford University and Virginia Tech, in a neighborhood with single family and multifamily homes, is 1700 square feet, and has a fenced yard. If in good condition, it would be ideal for graduate students or families with pets or children, but right now the bathroom floor is spongy and periodically grows mushrooms, so the entire bathroom will need to be rebuilt. The rest of the needed repairs are relatively minor.

[SCBeaches]

Mahdiya,
I sent you a PM this morning.

[ashleyj2201]

I'm not sure about any legal issues that may arise in that area. However, I have known people in this area who "rent" homes that need repairs, and do the repairs inplace of paying rent, and it works out fairly well. However, if the tenant is going to be paying for the repairs, and rent...it may not work out that well. I believe that the reason that this works, is because the renter is more likely to stay and finish repairs, if they are not being charged (rent+cost of repairs), what is equal to rent elsewhere. But, that is here. My uncle has rented two homes, repairing them for the owner, at his expense, in replace of rent.