Harris CAD has a nice FAQ on it. http://www.hcad.org/resources/propTaxProcess.aspThree factors determine the total amount of taxes imposed on a property.

If your rentals are outside of LA, I think you are not earning that money in LA, so I think you are OK.The US and California both impose a tax on their citizens and residents based on worldwide earnings, so I guess LA is just following their example. 

I just want to make sure that prices are fair and that I'm not being hit with unnecessary fees, especially up front.

it is pretty stupid to unnecessarily piss off a client and 2. it is pretty stupid to give advice beyond the scope of your license and create unnecessary, uncompensated liability.....  

Not a lawyer myself - so no legal advice, just done concepts to ponder.Account Closed - you said that you don't make the rules for the HOA approval process; although that might be true, it certainly isn't the applicant who is imposing the rule of "there must be an HOA approval" - that mandate comes from you.

Just an unnecessary expense.

See if the City has imposed any fines, or plans on taking action.

That includes rent increases above the allowable amount if the tenant agrees.The LTB requires that either Cap expenses are made, you provide a new service, facility , privilege or thing (item) to increase above allowable but that only matters in the case you impose the increase and the tenant fights.

Today for some reason there is a desire for ever more space that is unnecessary.

So, you'd have to know that the FREC could impose a penalty since it's not always definite.