It seems like they might have implemented this rather late or it wasn't a focus when they were testing. I expect some of the issues will be fixed, like the inability to change the water in the laundry tubs.
I can see why they would have disabled the trait for rental lots - you'd also have to check all the furnishings to make sure they worked off the grid. (You know they'd be getting a zillion 'bug reports' from people who changed the lot type, took their Sims to GF, and then were unable to bathe or cook.) Hopefully, they'll change that - maybe add a warning message that some items in the house are incompatible with the lot type.