During a stagnant housing market, some landlords opt to reduce deposits or waivethe first month's rent in order to reel in ambivalent renters.But, as one Tennessee tenant learned, some move-in specialsare simply too good to be true…or at least legal.

Corey Gaines, 32, should have exercised more caution whenreviewing the terms allegedly set forth by his landlord, ScottWilliams, the 54-year-old proprietor of Kairos InvestmentProperties. Authorities believe Williams, who owns multipleproperties near Nashville, offered Gaines five months of rent-freelodging and $1,000 to torch two properties to collect an insurancepayout.

According to a grand jury's indictment of both men, multiplearsons set the stage for fraudulent insurance claims and evenserious injuries sustained by a local firefighter in one suchblaze. When the smoke cleared, fire investigators discoveredgasoline around the charred homes, leading them to suspect arsonand specifically Williams, who sought tens of thousandsof dollars in compensation from his insurance company.

At one point, Williams came clean…sort of. After issuing awritten statement implicating himself in the arson, Williamsreneged on his story.

See related: Baptist Arsonist Faces Penance

Now maintaining their innocence, both Williams and Gainespleaded not guilty in state court last week. This came roughlythree months after a grand jury in Davidson County, Tenn. indictedthe two on arson and insurance fraud, among other charges. TomekaGaines also was indicted on charges of theft and failing to reportcrimes to authorities.

Gaines' criminal history includes convictions for assault,burglary, harassment, and about a dozen other charges. His pasttransgressions add up to at least nine prison sentences,police report. In addition, authorities allege Gaines stoleair conditioners, clothes, furniture, and other personal propertyfrom the home of Mary Butler, one of Williams' tenants, beforesetting fire to the residence.

Since the respective arrests, Williams was released on a $15,000bond, while Gaines sits in prison on a $50,000 bond. Should they beconvicted, the duo may live rent-free after all—in prisoncells furnished by taxpayers.