Now I'm NOT trying to argue with you, because I know you know more than me!

If you are just holding the proceeds, you can argue that’s it’s an investment interest expense. 

If you can't, then it could be argued that you have misled the seller and negotiated in bad faith.

Lastly it muddies the relationship between landlord and tenant...in the eyes of the law the landlord is liable for the habitability of the property regardless of a separate contract (try to argue with Toledo City Water that the lease specifies the tenant has to pay that bill...try to argue with the Dept of Neighborhoods on a blight citation that the tenant lives there and controls the property and should be the one showing up in court).

Rich Dad Poor DadRich Dads Cash Flow QuadrantRich Dads Increase your financial IQThe Real Book of Real EstateThe ABC’s of RE InvestingThe ABC’s of PMRich Dad RE Tax AdvantagesThe 10X RuleThe E-MythThe 4 Hour Work WeekBiggerPocketsPodCast -I hear #136 is exceptional!

The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy is a good starter book.

Some landlords will say it gives them a (false, I would argue) sense of stability by predicting when I turnover will occur. 

I think you  argue many ways, that your situation changed if you bought car,.

You could argue that the PM is agreeing to pay your utility bill for you!

"What-if" is the basis for argument people make when they have no basis or backing to argue from, so pluck from realm of imagination and argue there is no guarantee a meteorite WON'T slam into that property and does your H.O. policy cover meteorites????