They promised to pay the utilities, but not only are refusing to give me a dime, they are installing their own window units, broken washing machines, hanging enormous objects from my 100 year old plasterand running up enormous utility bills.

The back up is usually a result of the actions of the people living in the house, there are certain circumstances(roots, broken drain lines, etc...) that cant be avoided but from my experience, the occupants are usually involved.I've had 3 sewer back ups in the last year and every one was from tenants flushing things down the toilet that are not meant to be flushed. 

I’ve incurred the following expenses- $250 house cleaning- $600 clean wood floors, carpets and tile (fairly significant food smell in house from curry etc)- $50 paintBedroom door was broken.

After looking back and seeing all the steps required to get to where I am, I would have been easily overwhelmed if someone stole all the copper in the basement, AC unit, broken window, etc.So, other starting options:-Take a lesser return to get your feet wet in a more stable area (the route I took)-Find a local partner who specializes in the Dutchtown area to help you analyze/manage this area.Another thought:Assuming you havent seen the property, multifamilies frequently have a patchwork of repairs done over the year to keep them running.

hi - after moving out the apartment manager had sent final account statement with additional charges of $1059 for replacing kitchen counter tops, saying they were damaged due to excessive water (my negligence or not is altogether different topic); i've asked for pictures of replacement, he said he can send the pics but they will show granite counter tops (i've lived and moved out of a laminate kitchen counter top unit) - he said i am being charged only a part of the granite install cost, for the amount of what a laminate replacement would have costed; he doesn't agree to my point that if i am asked to pay, it can only be when they were laminated again, to bring the apartment to state i moved-in...i think this is unethical for following reasons1) I am being asked to pay for a work that was not done; the amount i have to pay is going into improving the unit (increasing its rental value)2) in a perfect scenario the unit should be brought to move-in state (lamniate) i should be charged with the exact amount and later a decision should be made to upgrade or remodel the apartment with apartment management's own money3) when i complained about counter tops during my stay, the management gave granite counter top option and said replacing the counter tops (which basically is upgrading the unit like other units in apartment complex fetching higher rent) will increase the rent by somewhat close to 110$ and if i terminate the lease i dont need to pay for granite replacement; I decided to terminate the lease and move out, the unit was upgraded after i moved out and am still being charged to cover a portion of the upgrade costs (granite counter tops)...4) have complained about the faucet leaking to previous management many times, no one showed up to fix and i had to put temporary fixes myself; the previous management was worse; when i complained again to the new management they asked for a reference number which i donot have as all complaints were made in leasing office verbally; the new management said, they checked in the system and dont see any complaints related to faucet leaking - anyway as i dont have proof of complaint, had to remain silent; infact they got to know about the problem after i complained, not when they checked after moving out (so not sure if i was negligent)is it fair to upgrade the unit (increasing its rental value) and ask me to pay a part the costs?

Do most people perform upgrades on buy and holds?  

Add in a broken down truck in my driveway, people called in to "help" at ridiculous rates I won't agree to.

I'd do the bathroom upgrades -- good bang for the buck and it will make it more appealing to your potential tenant pool.

The smooth tops can be broken.  

I give my tenants $50 gift card to a local restaurant around Christmas (usually the cheesecake factory), I make occasionally upgrades to the units, and I keep my promises to them.