If all goes well with my visit next month, I will buying a house that's currently run as a dog and cat rescue. As the current owners work with a German Rescue Association, it's going to be quite a steep learning curve, so the current owners have suggested that we put a deposit down and I move into the spare flat, until I'm ready to do it on my own. When I'm ready, they'll move out and we'll complete the purchase.
Obviously I need to be either renting a property there, or own one. I'm wondering if anyone knows, if labour, instead of rent, would be acceptable as a rental agreement for the D Visa. We can't show a rental income, as their business is dormant.