It sits on their credit report for up to seven years. it's a warning to other landlords and prevents them from qualifying for a home loan, car loan, or credit card.I've had some tenants sit in collections for years, then pay everything they owe because it was stopping them from doing something.You should consider a new PM.

As a host, I would include the propane as an amenity almost..always have an extra because sometimes the cleaners do not check how much propane is left in the tank after every turnover.

Ask them if any maintenance is needed and how much they are paying for rent. 

Editors just left an extra 3 in there….

I'm thinking about selling in the next year and I have read that if I now live in the property for the last 2 of 5 years that I won't pay taxes on the first $250,000.

I think many buyers will not want the extra traffic and noise they feel comes with an apartment and that will likely affect marketability.

To preserve capital, can I make slightly higher offers on properties and have the seller pay toward these fees? 

For example, if you are doing a rental arbitrage model and paying 1000 in rent 300 in utilities I would at least double this to make a profit cover depreciation of the furnishings and leave some extra breathing room just in case.

Many W2 jobs in the USA do not pay enough to support a family with one person working, or even with two persons working.

Many people outsource this effort to call centers - because they would rather pay to have someone else do that dirty work.