Just rented a home in the country the water smells like rotten eggs

It is unlikely to be the hot water heater causing the smell, it is more likely the input (the well water) having excess sulfur, bacteria and/or organic material

Because it sits in the tank longer, the smell accumulates. If it is a bacterial source, the hot water tank may be a breeding ground for anerobic bacteria. Draining and doing a disinfect with Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is the easiest and safest step

http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Troubleshooting/stinky-water-in-hot-water-heaters.html

https://www.stevejenkins.com/blog/2015/02/fix-rotten-egg-smell-in-your-water/

Some water softeners you can increase the back wash time on the unit to clear out a smell or bad taste , rotten egg smell can be sulfur. You may need a well flush but seek a well company on that for there advice as its not cheap .

first replace your anode rod if that doesn't work the problem is in your water look at water treatment systems

Anode rod is reacting with well water
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#smell
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If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Clean the tank with hydrogen peroxide as outlined in following link.
You may also need well company to shock-treat the well with clorox, or whatever procedure they recommend for local area.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#H2O2

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

When the water heater smells bad, it is time for a new anode rod.
And then you flush the water heater with 2 bottles of hydrogen peroxide.

With water heaters that experience the problem frequently, you change your incoming cold water pipes so hydrogen peroxide can be added easily.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047047,00.html
http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/pages/WHRpages/English/Longevity/water-heater-anodes.html
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3592714.htm

Hey check out this link that I found on this matter I hope will help you with this.
http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/trblsht_hwh_5.htm

is it a new well.......it may go away after a while...its sulfer....sometimes when you drill well too deep you get sulpher water......

The smell is from the (anode rod not sure of this term is exact) in the water hater. Smells like rotten eggs. You have to remove the rod in the top of the water heater. This will void the warranty of the heater. The soot is due to flame adjustment. this should be done by a professional.

its the mag rod in water heater-if your not using alot of hot water,and water is sitting in heater it will smell like rotten eggs-u can remove mag rod from water heater.it is in top of heater-