In the future if you wanted a fireplace, you can install a gas one that can vent to the side of the house and doesn't use chimney.

And I would definitely speak with a lawyer to document things.Potentially, your dad has a valid against the house and should actually be on title with his siblings.

@jaysenmedhurst, that's a valid point about the "dangerous assumption".

They just cash their paychecks at the gas station or wherever.

The knee jerk reaction to say that’s what you get for not requiring renters assurance is not valid in my view .

I purchased a property on long island (town of islip )  when I called national grid to turn the gas on they told ne that since it was inactive for over a year I would have to get a pressure test . additionally It looks like I have to get a permit as well.

Escrow was a little  messy with my being in Hong Kong and doing my first FSBO but I disclosed everything to the seller and let her take possession a month before escrow closed.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Twentynine-Palms/69933-Cielito-Dr-92277/home/160529000(note that those listing pictures are the same ones I took before my co-host charged me for a "deep-cleaning" - eye roll )THE NUMBERSI sold it for $134kTotal invested was $100,013 + ~$7000 (the only number I don't have in front of me) in closing costs, buyer credit, etc for a profit of $27,000 or 27% return on investment.This also doesn't include hotel costs for the early days when the cabin was uninhabitable, the substantial gas and auto wear to travel out there, or all the nights I had to bribe my husband with a trip to Palm Springs. 

Escrow was a little  messy with my being in Hong Kong and doing my first FSBO but I disclosed everything to the seller and let her take possession a month before escrow closed so she could really get to know its quirks.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Twentynine-Palms/69933-Cielito-Dr-92277/home/160529000(note that those listing pictures are the same ones I took before my co-host charged me for a "deep-cleaning" - eye roll )THE NUMBERSI sold it for $134kTotal invested was $100,013 + ~$7000 (the only number I don't have in front of me) in closing costs, buyer credit, etc for a profit of $27,000 or 27% return on investment.This also doesn't include hotel costs for the early days when the cabin was uninhabitable, the substantial gas and auto wear to travel out there, or all the nights I had to bribe my husband with a trip to Palm Springs. 

One of our rentals has hot water heat powered by a natural gas furnace.

Low unemployment rates, low interest rates, low gas prices.