I am wondering if a landlord of a 3500sq/ft, 4unit, section 8 compliant property can program the furnace thermostat to a specific temp (say, 70 degrees) and tenants wouldn't be able to run the bill up?

The only thing I had to do was fix their heat which hadn't worked in a year (bad thermostat, $20 fix). 

And, I like your sense of humor - which is sometimes needed in this business.Without actually walking across the house and getting mine, I think it also includes adjusting thermostats and opening cabinets, etc. and setting off the first round of insect spray "bombs" if there was a pet. 

They were mindful of closing the door, but 85 is nuts if I am paying the bill, so I put in a "landlord thermostat" which limits the heat to 73 degrees F (by law they have to be able to turn it up to at least 71).  

thanks, tyler. it think i listed most of the items somewhere in my other threads (i think i started announcing when i hit 14 or so), but i have no problem giving you the highlights again. hope i dont bore people though.cabinets - Kitchen Kompact, home depot (HD)bath tiles - http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Metro-...faucet - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Foundations-Singl...vanity - painted - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-24-5-in-Van...vanity faucet - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Peerless-Core-4-in-Cent...of this vanity - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-Shaila-24-1...toilet - toto drake or american standard cadetaccent tile - http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Arctic...kitchen tiles - http://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Portland-...most pendants - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-1-Light-86-... sinks - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Elkay-Neptune-Drop-in-S...lights - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-2-L...bath timers - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-500-Watt-60-Min...bath mirror - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zenith-16-in-W-x-20-in-...thermostat - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-7-Day-Program...tub - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bootz-Industries-Aloha-...disposal - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004U9JO/ref=wl_it_dp_o...knobs - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006HZ2NNE/ref=wl_it_dp_o...sink grid drain - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMR51XG/ref=wl_it_dp_o...shower diverter - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AI1VMW/ref=wl_it_dp_o...shower trim - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AHZRQO/ref=wl_it_dp_o...bath fan - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EAD6PNE/ref=wl_it_dp_o...now you can make your houses look like mine.ovens and appliances - whatever was JUST over the cheapest, dishwasher around $300.as for pics... they were linked to the original trulia listing, i will have to get that when i get back from vacation.

LED light bulbs and a wifi thermostat were the first things we did when moving to our place, not big ticket items, but they more than pay for themselves in time, especially if you leave your lights on for security/aesthetics.

If you don't want to go the route of billing by square footage, then there are meters/timers that can be added to the thermostat lines that can record the usage by each unit.

The problem is that there is only one thermostat located in the upper unit.

You can set up stuff to help you manage remotely while you are there such as wireless door locks, ring camera, wifi thermostats, etc..  

Your talking about purchasing all new baseboard units, having them installed, all new electrical wiring run and either a central thermostat or room based thermostats.Regarding your existing furnace, did you only get a parts replacement quote from the one contractor?