My uncle hasn't had much trouble finding renters in the past.The property has had a ton of rehab over the last year: new double paned windows, new exterior doors, new A/C and heaters, new plumbing (pex) throughout, new tile flooring throughout, some new electrical (all professionally done and inspected), new bathrooms, new fixtures, 4 of the 6 units have new cabinets, new appliances (stove, refrigerator, no dishwasher), shingled roof (less than 5 years old), new trim added to all the units, new paint both inside and out, had foam insulation added to the attic to help with the heating/cooling as well as protect the new plumbing that they decided to run through the attic, 2 new hot water heaters (each service 3 units), No structural or foundation issues, new water line from meter to the building, and not in a floodplainThe lot is quite big (1 acre) and is zoned commercial.

He pays 1/2 the heat and water and sewage for the upstairs tenet, and heat sewer and water for the downstairs tenet.

While water/sewer is easy to deal with, anytime you are paying for heat you are looking for trouble.

While water/sewer is easy to deal with, anytime you are paying for heat you are looking for trouble.

What type of heating?  

If no one outbids you, you don't get your costs back, including legal, public notices, auctioneer, and the cost of taxes, insurance, municipal fines, and maintenance such as heat and snow removal while you wait for the auction. 

Mike,Welcome toBP and the heat of the southwest. 

The smell equals that of underwear that has been worn for 2 weeks straight in 90 degree heat with a constant Taco Bell diet.

It gets insane heat and moisture too.Regarding zoning, I have another house here in Denver with a garage 1 foot from the property line that I just built last year.  

Our original intent was to use it ourselves to escape the heat in summer, and possibly rent it out on websites like VRBO or AirBnB.