In 12 units you'll probably end up using both faucets and all the toilet parts.Have you been in the mechanical room of the buildings? 

A mechanic tenant has rented one of the bays for the past nine years with no interruptions in rent payments.

What I've done is put passage knobs (that do not have a locking mechanism) for the bottom handle and a deadbolt for the top part.

I would not be liable if I could no longer make those payments.How do the mechanics of this work?

You will run into deeds of trust (or something similar) that will secure the mortgage note, abstracts of judgments, mechanics liens, and tax liens.

Do I start depreciation of the fees at the closing date in 2016 or is there a different mechanism to apply since the expenses actually occurred in 2015?

I also prefer the Unilin locking system( a tad more difficult to install but the overall strength of the locking mechanism seems stronger).

The tenant maybe be responsible to tell you when they know something is broken but they usually know nothing about mechanics of the house to know if the toilet is not working properly lol or not

Sarah is right cost of doing business ,I had a dryer knob it was broke ,had a different tenant not change a furnace filter may have caused damage but it was still under warranty they are all know the plan now .Plus it was a learning tool for me too,train tenants in all aspects of all mechanical in the house .

Also, the one accessible from outside must have working sturdy locks.All open able windows must have a mechanism to secure them in place.Every bedroom must have at least one open able window for ventilation, if windows are designed to open.If the unit has a 3rd floor sleeping room(s), & the family is eligible to use this room for sleeping; the owner must provide a safe method of escape in the case of fire.