When you go over the lease, provide them a tenant instruction sheet with your welcome packet that explains:- how they can pay rent- how to make a repair request- watering restrictions- how to operate unit's HVAC, thermostat, care of garbage disposal, location of main water shut off, gas shut off, breaker box- numbers or links to turn on/transfer utility accounts- how your city enforces noise ordinances and how this may effect those who violate it (BTW, your tenant  blasting his music so it can be heard at by other residents on the block  at 10 am is just as bad as if he is doing it at 4 in the morning). - anything else you feel tenant should knowOthers have given you some great suggestions for collecting rent automatically.

Never need to discuss it, but it's a just-in-case thing.I'd put one of those locks on the thermostat so they can't change the temps for the entire house.  

Thanks for all the informative replies.I'm the sort who'll fix a problem myself before asking for help from anyone, I'd be embarrassed to ask a landlord to unclog a toilet or replace a battery in a thermostat.

And that stripper may be going to college and graduate and change careers to become a computer programmer.

Short term improving the building envelope through insulation, programmable thermostats might help.As for switching to gas, price it and any rebates you get.

They told me they had a sick child they had to take to the doctor because it was so hot and they had pictures of the thermostat to prove it.

Hi David,Maybe the thermostat is having a problem???

Originally posted by @Chris Martin:An Implementation suggestion You're sounding like a programmer.

Hello everyone.I'm a computer programmer who, for the last five years or so, has been working from home doing contract work.

A high level professional programmer at an equities division at a large fund(AQS), paid all up front cash for the 3 month stay.