If you can get a HELOC at prime 7.75% that would be a 2325 in interest cost a year. 

Most lenders have a limit to how many draws you can take from your rehab budget and often it will cost a small fee (you can include that in your budget) so you'll want to confirm if/ what their limit is should you expect to be taking a lot of draws or complete the rehab in smaller increments.

You can sting it out, but if they start to push back it will cost a lot more than 23K hiring attorneys and all. 

Regarding verifying living in the dorms, I've never done that, but I also have nicer houses that cost a smidge more and require cosigners, so that weeds out the party animals for the most part.  

To fix this problem without involving all of this shenanigans would probably only cost a few hundred dollars in materials and a few hours labor.

If there are a large number of openings, then they are likely filling that need with travelers.See how much the property will cost a month.

This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 33, which could repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, expanding rent control options across the state.

Of course it will cost a few grand, maybe more. 

As a landlord, you should vote No on Prop 33.Costa-Hawkins restricts most control laws that local cities and counties can impose. 

The thing that lead me to invest in Costa Rica was a desire to own a property in Costa Rica first.