A week later the landlord came into the office (this was in Ohio, where utility bills are/were part of the property) to see if they had paid their bill.

So usually utilities are not included. 

This entire coastline is booming with construction and remodelling and is in dire need of help - maybe starting your own handyman business or something that utilizes your current skillset could be a starting point?

@Nick Mcroberts,You potentially could utilize the equity gained by refinancing the property your IRA owns.

Too many people on both sides of the aisle that have utilized the 1031, which as you know just turned 100 years old. 

Rents in the area continue to rise and home prices have had double digit growth for nearly 3 years (97405 zip code).

Insurance, Principle payments, interest, utilities, wages, maintenance, prop mgmt, vacancy, taxesAm I forgetting anything? 

That way you could utilize a low down payment conventional loan, and then refinance out of your FHA when you hit that 20% equity mark in the future!

It doesn't seem right that I'd have to just take it in good faith that they'll submit the claim on my behalf after they've already been made whole.Additionally, I've prorated the rent/utilities for the full number of days they were out of the premises.

Currently, only thinking about Insurance, snow plowing, mowing, taxes, and utilities.