I also need to know if it is legal for me to close my bank account he was to draw the funds from in order to freeze the transaction until this has been resolved.

then there are unknown variables such as municipal requirements, tenant complaints, tenant damage to unit, vandalism of an empty building, freeze damage, the list goes on and on.Welcome to the lending world, which is not quite as simple and automatically profitable as most people think.

And a huge pain when we had the occasional freeze.

I found that somewhat odd that the bank would do a cash for keys (from the original owners) and just kept the heat off (temps here in NJ get below freezing).

We have to do this because we have a security freeze on our credit and it hasn't negatively impacted our scores which are excellent. 

Of course, any savings will depend on the minimum charge that would be applied to the extra account throughout the year and the policies of your local water utility so check first.Also, if you experience a break in an outside pipe (those of you in areas where pipes freeze in the winter probably know what I am referring to) the water utility may refund the portion of the bill they sent you if you ask and/or file a claim.

Granted the weather was fairly nice thus the floors weren't freezing.  

6) Speaking of pipe bursting...it's a common advice around here to drip your faucets when below freezing, otherwise your pipes burst.

Filing a Lins Pendens will freeze the Title insurance. 

Some towns in NJ offer a tax break or may even freeze your taxes for those over the age of 65.