LLC's main benefit is from a legal perspective.

CA is brutal when it comes to taxes.I don't give tax or legal advice, but many people believe that holding the property in your name and having a good umbrella policy is a good solution.

What is the legal mechanism?

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

Signing the lease demonstrates they agree to the terms and then you can hold them accountable.If you don't do this, then the person named on the lease and paying the rent could disappear and you would have no legal authority to charge the remaining three for unpaid rent.

It's literally broken the LEGAL immigration process. 

Interesting, since when did it become HRs problem (or legal right) to determine that "he is supposed to have found housing already".

So I contacted the tax collectors office and was told there was a legal loophole and that since the building had been owned by a non-profit for part of the year it would receive tax exempt status for the full year.

I would search the BP forums because your tax / legal related questions likely have already been asked.However, it doesn't hurt to still ask the forum what your questions are.