Then when you get there, check for all safety issues first, functional issues second, cleanliness and aesthetics third.

My partner is the money guy, and I'm great at re-imagining & redesigning a space to make it function better.Let's connect & see if we can help each other out.

Like any government or central body, transparency and functional decision making is key.  

Your renovations should be functional and durable.

If this kitchen represents what is typical in your local rentals then make it clean and functional and get it rented.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks as to how to optimize their function to reduce the bill, or even perhaps another suggestion entirely regarding HVAC?

They rented your place for an agreed price and you're now offering them reduced functionality and features for the same price unless you're willing to cut them a big break on the rent.

@Aaron Edmondson why not just get the house liveable (functional and safe) and rent it out for a little below market because it’s not perfect, and let the tenant pay down the mortgage as the value rises.

More than 4 units the value should be primary function of cap rate and NOI.  

This is more a function of your market place though.