Not sure if you have landlord experience, so Forget the rental idea.California is a high risk venture for any landlord.

There is really no risk of you losing your investment as long as it is insured and you do your job as a landlord … fill the property, collect rent, maintain it.  

Hello, newbie landlord question here: Is it common to require first month's rent, last month's rent, and a security deposit for new tenants?

Call previous landlords...was there police calls, missed rent payments, parties, complaints, etc. 

Many of them have given me advice on navigating landlord-tenant laws and things that are specific to different areas (e.g. investing in San Francisco is different from San Jose). 

I will be introducing myself as the new landlord soon and I'm nervous.

How are landlords with student rentals handling this?   

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

Start a paper trail.Otherwise, as long as rent is coming in, just hold on (hopefully) until the lease is up.It is your obligation as the landlord to make necessary repairs in a timely fashion.

Both are terrible choices NYC, super expensive and high taxes, and TERRIBLE landlord laws.