Painted popcorn ceiling? Keep or remove in a rental.

[Kenneth Sok]

Just closed on my 3rd rental. This beauty was built in 1977.

I learned today how much "fun" there was in trying to peel off painted popcorn ceiling. It definitely doesn't want to come off easy. I've already taken out a 4x4 section of the ceiling but there's another 1400 sq. ft. to go of which I am not looking forward to.

Do anyone have any recommendations for removing it? A DIY formula for removing it perhaps or some product that works really well?

Should I hire out a specialist (especially considering it may have asbestos - of which I haven't checked yet)? If so, any recommendations?

Or should I just keep it, fix the existing popcorn ceiling and patch up other areas? There are several other areas that need to be fixed but it's not that bad.

My preference is to remove the popcorn ceiling as the look is terrible but I plan to keep it as a rental. 

Thanks in advance for your input!