This is a bit of a public service announcement. 

I would just add that on top of interest, depreciation and repairs/maintenance there are many other things you can deduct, depending on your situation - things like home office, car/transportation expenses, travel, meals, books/education and many more.

It would have required filling a water truck for transport. 

This tax is a rent grab- an attempt for the city to increase revenue without providing any public service or accountability for the use of the funds.

You'll want to drive all the streets of a neighborhood looking  for homes that have signs of vacancy (tall grass in the summer, or non-plowed driveways in winter), or are just in poor condition.Then look up the owner information via public records and try to make contact one way or another.

A couple months ago I bought a duplex in the Northside area off of the Main St Metro Rail (convenient 5 min transport to downtown).

I don't think I'm much of a fan of having a profile visible to the public and my kids splashed all over it.

The state also posts public regulations.

Public or private utilities, occupancy rate, % of POHs, economic vacancy.

In this case, I'm fortunate, as this tenant is on 100% public assistance.