The parent choosing to keep the temp at an unsafe temp with children could be a sign of mental health issues and they may need to take the children away to keep them safe. 

My current expectations are to find a HH that doesn't need extensive repairs, and is currently in a relatively nice and safe area.

At the same time they red tag abandoned homes that aren't safe and make the owners tear them down in hilltop.

Do another one, and another.... very safe, small flips...then after 5 years maybe take on a serious flip and get your hands dirty.Sorry to be so blunt, but you are going about this all wrong and will be another one of those 'investors' who just goes 'one and done' and flames out....

@David Bennett I am guilty of being the ‘nice and forgiving landlord’ in this circumstance and letting the behaviour repeat so I’m taking it as a learning lesson that being kind and cordial is always a good thing - cause I really do love the people aspect of owning rentals and providing people a nice safe home to live in - but don’t appreciate being take advantage of :-)

Specifically, ALWAYS work on providing safe conditions and law-abiding procedures.

Also, if you value maintaining a particular look, have terms in the lease that give you final say in what types of furniture and décor is allowed in the common areas of the house.CRITICALLY IMPORTANT: Is the house safe for housemates?

I will say this, I ALWAYS run my numbers safely so I think anywhere from 15-20% for you is a good ballpark number.

Better safe than sorry.

Look out for old bus fuse panels and Pushmatics, again great in their time but internal failures and limited parts supply make them hard to operate and maintain safely anymore.