Common for folks who are too lazy to operate the thermostat.

You can buy a digital thermostat that will allow you to program in a limited range of temperatures.

With rooms you have the added expense of utilities, as you said, but also the added management of conflict resolution, utility control (lock box on the thermostat and making frequent visits to inspect), common area cleaning, theft of food, more traffic, etc.After doing the math, a good tenant is more stable and cost effective than renting rooms.

so... a furnace built in the 60's is going to be about 60% efgicient. a modern furnace will be in the 90% effecient range. many cities and counties offer rebates to help pay for the upgrades.if you cant get the billing individually assigned to the tennants, i would look into this.i would also consider removing the old school thermostats and replacing with an automation system where you can limit their temperatures a little bit...

They will have complete control of their thermostats and they will be a higher priced rental.

Sometime between 12/29 and 12/31 the batteries in the thermostat died and the furnace shut off.

thermostat.

Also, as the weather warms, hopefully the a/c is on the thermostat - showing the home with the windows closed should lessen the impact of Hampden.

And you can "automate" the place with things like a smart thermostat, combo door locks (no lockouts!)

Similarly for "unused" chimneys - are they snow capped or bare (heat escaping the building);Windows - broken thermal pains are obvious;Heating Plant (boiler/furnace) - is it running correctly or are there issues (gurgling or short cycling);Tenants - are the windows and/or storms open (with the thermostat cranked) - we reduced the previous owner's heating bill by compelling  enticing the tenants to keep the windows closed during the heating season.The key is to profile the "unloved" properties when they go on the market in spring or summer and then buy them in the dead of winter.