Unfortunately within a week of moving in we are getting hit with a work order of ~$3000 for heating damper issues with the HVAC system causing the heating not to be balanced well throughout the bottom floor of the home.

If it’s an electric water heater and it appears in good shape, you can simply replace the heating elements and thermostats.

Most apartments and fourplex in my city include water and garbage (many even include heat).

Also if they call for anything other than an emergency which will be spelled out (water gushing on floor, electrical outage, water outage, heat outage etc) they will be charged.

House does not have central air and heat I’d have to do the duck work.  

@Sandra Pinzon I think most land lords in Chicago include the heat (gas) if you have a central boiler.

My question is: Does it matter how I heat the back porch?

Hi Wendy,It might be wise to ask for a written list of items.If they pull the hot water heater, or the thermostat, or the furnace, or the outside A/C Coils, or the exterior door locks you might want to (re-negotiate) with them about those items--or maybe not depending on the age re service life left in them.That will also let you build a punch list of buy items (re supply delivery shortages due to Covid) and maybe pre-buy them.Just my 2 cents.

In Dec the tankless coil failed on the boiler, so I had an indirect hot water heater installed immediately.

All the while you’re discounting the tenants rent or paying for them to stay in a hotel if it’s hot water or ac or heat until you use someone else that can fix it the same day.