For future reference, since the way you did it here the legality isn't fully clear to me (i.e. is this an eviction?

But you should definitely put up the deposit. 

This is definitely an expense I had not planned for.Christine

This will be very much a red state versus blue state ordeal.And this will definitely be something all us property owners will vet for when we invest in real estate.

Generally speaking in the U.S. many vices are legal (g*ns, dr*gs, patent trolls, frivolous litigation as extortion, closed hand combat, prej*dice) but evicting squatters is virtually impossible...just jk obvs.

From my perspective I would definitely separate the utilities for heat and hot water whether that is gas or electric.

I definitely will give them more work, but considering this is my first one, I wanna stabilize this as a rental before attempting to purchase a second one.

This post sounds like you are giving legal / financial advise that you do not have the credentials to give.  

I've spoken with him on what we're seeing from a legal DD, and he handles more of the P&L proforma side

I am not a lawyer so this is not legal advice but from the "Law School of Google."