Utility company won't turn on gas. Heating alternatives for the winter? (New York)

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I bought a short sale rental house in New York a little over a month ago that had to be renovated.  The gas heat was turned off last April by ConEd, the local utility company, because the previous owner had not paid the bills.  ConEd first told me the gas was on, then when I told them it wasn't, and the gas meter was locked, they checked with another department that told me it had been off since April.  To get the heat back on, I would need to get a licensed plumber to do some tests.  I had a plumber come out and do the tests.  Now ConEd wants the plumber to submit additional documentation, which would require him to do more work and get an NYC inspector to come out.  In order to do the work, the plumber would need to get a work permit, and the plumber said it takes a few months to get a work permit these days!  Renovations are almost done, and I was hoping to get this place rented soon, but it appears that there will be no heat all winter!

So, I am thinking of getting space heaters and an electric water tank.  Probably would get weaker space heaters to avoid blowing the fuses.  Does anyone here have this kind of experience and know of a better alternative?