If your electric is metered separately, you also might see an extra house meter, which would charge you for common area electricity, such as shared hallways, basements, exterior lights etc.

., because I have the time and energy to do so, and to get the smelly carpet out.

It depends on the property but at each vacancy I like to do something that is either deferred maintenance or a light rehab. 

@Cristian Galvan are you open to a light rehab? 

I think a more "hands on" approach would put him light years ahead from anyone in his circle. 

Also, if you have to do major rehab to a place where the renovations exceed 50% of the current market value, a lot of cities will require to bring up the property to current code, which can add to your expenses to repair things you otherwise would not, such as making the place comply with energy code requirements and next thing you know you gotta replace the windows and insulation. 

It was in bad shape so we took a private loan from my parents to renovate 2/3 units, and have been doing work on the property ourselves despite not being licensed (I have done exterior painting, drywall repair, light fixture replacement, small things like that).

Currently out of need myself (wife and two kids), parents, and two of my special needs brothers are doing a light remodel to the house (mostly due to age or poor construction).

One project a year was about all the energy I had time for when I was babysitting grown men and my 9-5 was really more like 7-6. 

HINT (assuming you have more than just a flip phone): wait til dusk, turn all the lights on in the house, and take a landscape picture of your exterior.