In many states there are laws that allow you to have the work done and take it out of the rent...

VERY IMPORTANT WARNING...each state is different...requiring proper notification in writting and possible other items to be done...I would not suggest doing this unless you have talked to an attorney...

I happen to have an attorney in town that I know that loves to get "slumlords", so he generally will help someone for free...I used him on the reverse side...to remove residents who didn't pay rent.