Dishwasher, disposal, fridge, w/d not included as part of the rental.

Issue #1: Originally my real estate agent told us that each unit comes with the following appliances: stove and fridge; and that both units water bills are the responsibility of Lessor (landlord) .

Owner pays.Unless your lease reads like mine:  Any fridge or washer/dryer is left as a courtesy, but any repairs or replacement will be paid by the tenant , no warranty provided by landlord. 

I had to fire them because they were unable to rent the unit, and also, while the unit was empty, they supposedly replaced a broken fridge from another of their properties with the working fridge from my unit.

I have a replacement fridge and a pest control person lined up.

I find it interesting that where you are the fridge is the tenant's responsibility.

Paint the wall ovens white to match the refrigerator (or black & change the fridge, see #3);3.

The landing carpet as well as a new stove and fridge strike me as potentially unnecessary projects. 

Gouges from sliding a fridge or other appliance would be damage.

Put one behind fridge, if there is easy access, another under kitchen sink, etc.