Beneath the cracked cement, the ground is receded by about 6 inches. 

While heading up the stairs we startled the teenage son who was skipping school.

You also need to ensure that the remodel will conform with local building codes, as far as ceiling height, stairs, egress, etc.

The unit is in awful condition, likely because there are too many people living in the 2-bedroom unit (at least 3 adults and 4 children), and their lifestyle habits have caused them to break something almost weekly (shower mixing valve cartridge, rails, cabinets, stairs, etc.).  

Stairs, uneven ground, lifting up and down, wheels only get in the way and make it heavier.

Donald Howaniec Shop around for local stair fabricators.

The ten-second version is that you unroll it, cut it to size (utility knife or really good scissors), put contact cement on both the cabinets and the veneer, and then carefully stick the veneer down. 

I would either stair step them up or keep rents the same for a few months if they agree to move out.

The only thing I like better than carpet in common area stairs is the rubbery flooring (with the grip option) that you see sometimes in commercial spaces (think doctor's offices, hospitals, etc.).