You hate to send someone to fix the heat to find out the tenant doesn't know how to change the battery on the thermostat.... but that is the risk you take. 

When we were developing commercial business parks back in the late 90's we not only hired management companies, but hired a battery of consultants, a very expensive proposition, to provide us guidance on various best in practice options for HOA's to operate. 

We were just contacted by the wife that due to domestic battery against her, the husband is in jail.  

If you are turning over poor tenants every year, you will be spending far more than $1,500-4000 over the next 2-3 years on reconditioning and vacancies.

Seems to work well, they can use the area for decoration; battery operated candles and such if the cover is unscrewed but otherwise it's made to look clean, fresh and nice but not to be used. 

This timer does not need a neutral, but it does use a battery; on the one I had 10+ years ago, it took one AAA, which would last about a year.I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned.

Only once in the past 3-4 years was it an actual problem with the HVAC system (a battery had died in a remote sensor).If you are handy with numbers, you can calculate the incremental costs associated with keeping a space of X sq ft one degree at a certain temperature.  

Based on some reconditions on BP, I've started using Cozy for screening, applications and rent collections.

People don't change them regularly in the homes they own - they certainly aren't going to take care of it in a rental.Change the batteries in the smoke detectors twice a year when the clocks change - another thing that renters typically won't remember to do. 

I've got a solar provider that is self install that per panel it's is around $350/installed, plus costs of electrician and battery units.