It bugs me because I wasn’t going to rent to them initially because of the girlfriend’s low credit score, but he has a good job and they did own a home a few years back.  

What seems to unique to the area (at least on a large scale) is electrical theft.You should also know about "Electrical Theft" in the Big D.Renters get electric shut off and pay someone to make an illegal hookup.Using fish hooks or other unsafe methods, WXYZ Reports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Also not to add electric because we have different standards.

You will have to do some structural improvements, as well as adding electrical and plumbing.

I am house hacking my 1st SFH rn and none of them have rental insurance but I do manage the utilities because I live with them so I ask them for their part of the bills/utilities...I will probably take my name off the utilities once I move out and make the primary tenant get the water/electric in their name...

If you're running plumbing, electrical, HVAC out there it's different than if you're just putting up drywall.

The property comes with access to water, sewer, and electricity connections.

This is pretty much how banks do things too - the idea is that not only do you have to afford your rent - but also your electric, your food, your car, your insurance, your gas, internet, etc.  

But any plumbing or electrical I don’t know what’s code 

It's definitely much more challenging to have the house inspected with all of their stuff around, but they should be able to still look at the main things (foundation, HVAC, electrical panel, hotwater heater, roof, etc.).