I don't want to constantly bug my lender and most of the sites are sponsored or selling mortgages.

While electric and gas are separated in my area usually water/sewer/trash are not and therefore paid by the landlord. 

VPM requires the tenants to front the costs to rehabilitate the property, pay all the overdue taxes, and resolve any outstanding building code violations associated with the property, Wisconsin’s complaint states.And, if the tenant does not remedy those issues within a short period of time, VPM evicts the tenant and “repeats the cycle by renting the uninhabitable property to yet another Wisconsin consumer,” the Wisconsin DOJ said in a statement.According to the complaint, VPM rented properties with sewage in the basement; black mold; lack of water, heat, or electricity; insect infestation; and multiple code violations; among other issues."

Electricity is passed on to the tenant.

Not to mention that where I buy the big utility expenses is electric for air conditioning in the summer (which is always paid by the tenants).  

Some examples of habitability codes are functional toilets, functional sinks, functional smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, weathertight windows and doors leading outside, bathrooms must have a mechanical vent or an easily opened window, a bedroom must have an easily opened window and either two electrical outlets or one electrical outlet and a light fixture and all pipes, plumbing and electrical must be per code.

Added lighting and electrical outlet to a bonus room under the stairs.

As long as we kept bugging the builder, they were there to take care of the little issues we had.

Pay closer attention to the electrical and plumbing details when doing initial inspection.

What would you say if someone advised you to replace an electrical system by yourself and without a permit, learning as you go from youtube?