What will happen is that assigning a contract will get to be very tough to get through a closing or being financed because of the abuse by some.

-How do I stop the tenants from abusing all inclusive (mostly hydro)?

Hi Marc,I think with the abuses of lease options and contract for deeds, esp in TX, and the Dodd Frank - CFPB coming into play in Jan 10 2014, the lease option - rent to own marketplace has changed.Being an agent and helping sellers sell on terms might be a good business though.

Then when they abuse these appliances they are our problem.

Charlie states this is a very abused industry regarding following the regs.. right up there with wholesaling  IE selling RE without a license  :)

You are not even required to provide a reason nor allow the seller to correct the objectionable item.Do not abuse this but it is protection.

In any case, I feel I need to so something as leases expire because our water costs have increased significantly the past year due to tenant abuse, and rates increase 18% starting 1 Jan !   

A lease up fee makes sense as long as it's not abused ... e.g. placing bad tenants just to get lease up fees.  

Understanding after 25 years in the mortgage business that some people are going to abuse every program out there, I will tell you that the VA loan programs are not and never were intended to be used for flipping properties.

it is a shame that all landlords don't spend time contacting there congressman every time the get into this type of situation if we all spent as much time doing that as we spend writing and complaining on the different forums maybe just maybe the laws that protect the low life pukes we all might be in a better boat as a busness