If I charged tenants for water, even if I discounted the rent appropriately, it would create bad optics from the tenants' perception and would create a competitive disadvantage for me, having to "sell" each prospect on the merits of being in control of their own water usage, since having it included is what everyone expects.(2)  Here in NY the water bill goes with the property, not the occupant. 

Without these my units would go vacant as prospective tenants would choose my competitors.

I want to be absolutely sure any prospective properties would cash-flow at market rates.

HelloI have a prospective tenant that wants to run a daycare/school type business out of one of my properties.

I've worked very hard in my life, stayed loyal "working my way up" to an executive-level at my job, but no salary was enough to save and invest in a home... that is, of course, until I realized the prospect of investing in properties outside of our state and building a portfolio that could provide passive income streams while building equity. 

I've been listening to the podcast, attending webinars, and playing with the calculators and I'm excited about the prospect of gaining freedom through real estate.

I will have access to his subs, and will be involved in the job as much as I can (marketing the home, finding prospective buyers), but if his health fails I'll be left without someone to overwatch and get this house built to completion.

Always talk to prospective tenants on the phone before giving them your address.

They will cut a deal with the LL's lawyer to get the tenant out but not burden them with an actual eviction order.This will make it way harder for a LL to screen prospective tenants effectively but we are resourceful and will find a way; perhaps by upping the credit score.

However, I once called a current landlord and mentioned that the prospective tenant said you agreed to let him out of his lease as soon as he found a new place.