@Marelyn Valdes -- You bring up some really valid points.

Electric and natural gas service may not be discontinued while you are in possession of your unit.

I can do the cosmetics easily but I will have to hire out for electrical, plumbing, gas, etc.

And if service is already cut off, it should be the very first thing you schedule to get hooked up - ComEd and Peoples Gas are busy here in Chicago!

@Michael Norris valid point.  

Yes, I'm with you: No deductions against the rent, but if they submit a valid relevant medical bill, "we'll see what can be done" to help with something.

I believe that the natural gas for the hot water heaters and gas ranges are separately metered also.Here is the interesting part: The owner chooses to pay all utilities costing him upwards of $17k annually.

I'd rather spend $10 to have a happy tenant that will think twice about trashing my place, leaving unexpectedly, or making it a pain to maintain/show the property in the future.It's not one size fits all and the other strategy is just as valid.

Even it leaves some dangling questions about liabilities.One is obvious - go there (or pay someone to) to find out if you're buying a gas station or hide tanning factory.But will the title search and execution search reveal it all?

Seller tells me it was from the gas co.