I forgot to ask, if the current lease I inherited does not address the lock out issue, should i just add one and any other items as an addendum and ask the tenant to sign or address at lease renewal?

Our first property we did a 203k to do a major value-add on a SHR.

We have started to allow tenants retain utilities in our name but we have wondered whether the amount we add on for utilities should be counted as part of the monthly rent, especially for reasons of aligning with the security deposit.

To add on to the above towns, any thoughts on Sharon Hill?

Let me add one. 

My rule is 3x the amount of rent + water (I add on about $50 a month to compensate for that -- the tenants pay their own water).

This might happen if it was an add-on / remodel and not part of the original house.Does it have slow draining/flushing ? 

It may sound nice to pay a 5% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no add-on fees.

That said, I will add one more dimension that others did not; if you REALLY like a market based off of sound factors (rent growth, job growth, major employer diversification, historical vacancy rates, landlord laws, etc.) then you can always develop a new relationship in that market.

It may sound nice to pay a 5% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no add-on fees.