We had a house we rented for years, we had only one tennant who kept up her rent, she left when she married and the hosue wasnt big enough for her and the family.

Shef, we had broken windows, holes in the walls and floors, the house had not been kept clean (was a damp place and had some mildewy rooms - one bedroom and the bathroom), among other things.  The tennants all knew we would supply anything necessary for cleaning or rebuilding/painting and that they would provide labour, so there was no real excuse for them.

All repairs covered by insurance.

Its a bummer though.  Maybe you should get a mate to contact the house makeover people, arrange for it to be done as a 'surprise'