I should note that the weather was -5 degrees with a wind chill of -20 or -30 degrees....record lows and coldest temperatures in 20+ yearsI have 2 questions:1: I have language that would support holding the tenants accountable for 'accidently' leaving the door they granted access to the utility employee open by not making sure it was properly secured.

If they don't pay, I would take it out of their security deposit.I post signs in my houses inside one of the kitchen cabinet doors with some basic info, like how to contact me, etc.

I know it sounds a bit silly to perhaps "undo" some of what you have already done but square footage is the name of the game.Another approach would be to use the equity in your current home to secure a new build.

I will need to put down one month's rent as a security deposit and also pay for my first month's rent by Jan. 31.

Good idea...keep them in at $800 per month ask them to move out ASAP after semester is done.I would recommend also invoicing them each month for the delta and take the security deposit at move out covering the bridge on rent they didn't pay.

BTW: You should be able to secure residential mortgages (1-4 unit properties) from any of the Big 5 banks for <=3.0% for a 5-year term, variable rate mortgage on a 25-30 year amortization.

I had a very similar issue about 5 years ago, a shared driveway, same owner on both but only one property was secured, the shared driveway survived for use to both parcels.

First, I enforced my right under the security instrument to receive ALL rents.

Does your social security card say not valid for employment?

It wasn't a mortgage but a business loan secured by the property.