You do not want the property to sit vacant because of vandals, pipes freezing, squatters, etc.You can't double dip meaning say the tenant owes you for 6 months they have not lived there and get a judgment for 6,000 in future rent and then release on top of that right away to get cash coming in.

However, in those instances we do inspect and keep a watch to make sure food is not rotting in a fridge, pipes are not freezing, candles are not being used as a light source, etc.  

We give them a "Freeze the grease.

The warmth from the attic can melt the bottom layer of the snow on the roof, it then freezes when temperatures drop creating an expanding effect and lifting the shingles just enough for the water to get through.

You can freeze up the coils and burn out a compressor when you run in cold weather.

If you are investing in an area where unpaid bills can become liens, it is best to verify bills are current when taking ownership.If I invested in an area that could lien the property on water, I would pay the water myself and include it in rent.in some markets the utl providers simply wont shut off the utls they don't want people freezing to death or dying.. so they never shut them off. and well you guessed it professional tenants know it.. !!! 

Unit had gas for furnace and was middle of winter so I was trying to get the house heat on to prevent pipes from freezing.

This ensures uilities stay on and nothing freezes up. 

Regardless of in lease or not you need to tell or remind the tenant that heat must be kept on to prevent pipes from freezing.  

His unit had no air conditioning but was always freezing.