I only accept service animals if they can provide a written letter from a verifiable source.Here's something else most people don't know or understand.

What about making the payments directly to the bank so a track record of payments coming from me is verified?

You've learned a valuable lesson, trust but, verify.

Bank statements are to verify that you have the down payment and reserves.

They can qualify you for a new mortgage using monthly bank deposits to verify your income as opposed to using your tax returns.Email me if you have anymore questions.

@Anna Buffkin just to verify the process - you buy at one price ($100K), equity builds up, you take a heloc on that equity to submit down payment on another property.

Having to dig up the parking lot and redo the line to the street and repave can be many tens of thousands of dollars depending on the length of the run involved and how deep the lines are.Make sure you have the full financial numbers from the seller and they verify before spending thousands on inspections to only find out sellers numbers are wrong and they will not adjust the price etc.Hopefully in your purchase and sale contract you had language such as due diligence period does not start until ALL of the items listed are received by the buyer.

I would prorate the heat bill every month based on square footage and give the tenant a copy of actual bill to verify your math. 

I highly recommend getting a local landlord/tenant attorney and verifying the proper timelines. 

Call the day you sign the lease to verify that has been done.