This is something I've been mulling over and I admit that I'm kind of curious to know how it all works (regulations, certifications, process) 

The units are already being leased before the Certificate of Occupancy (CO), and they come with one year of complimentary property management to maximize cash flow.

Do I need a business license or certificate of some kind to rent?

The operating agreement is more important than the certificate of organization/ state filed equivalent.

Either an in house maintenance person with HVAC certification or you have to hire out subs for the various jobs.You can always contact PM companies and ask them what they budget per unit for maintenanceGino

We just started with our STR (has legal TOT certificate) in Mariposa County near Yosemite.

Heres the numbers:  Borrower(s)Subject PropertyRate Not Locked 9/30/2024 Sales PriceDown PaymentLoan Amount30 Year FixedContract DepositSeller ConcessionNMLS#  $670,000.00$167,500.00$502,500.007.000% $0.00$0.00  Bank Origination Charges Estimated Title / County / State ChargesOrigination Points % $ - Owner's Title Insurance $ 4,415.00Discount Points % 1.500% $ 7,537.50 Lender's Title Insurance $ - Underwriting Fee Title Search $ - Appraisal Fee $ 650.00 Title Services $ - Credit Report Services (1) $ 299.00 Alta 8.1 $ - MERS Fee $ 25.00 Recording & Transfer $ - Flood Certification $ 8.00 Notary $ - Tax Service $ 85.00 Settement Fee $ - VOE Fee $ 150.00 Total $ 4,415.00 Total $ 8,254.50 Prepaid Interest / Items Potential Additional CostsPer Diem Interest 15 Days $ 1,465.63 Rental 1007 $ 250.00Home Insurance $ 1,800.00 New Survey (if applicable) $ -Flood Insurance $ - 2nd Appraisal / Reinspection $ - Total $ 3,265.63 Total $ 250.00 Escrow and/or Property Taxes Due Total Estimated Monthly PaymentsTotal Insurance(s) 3 Months $ 450.00 Principle and Interest $ 3,343.15Property Taxes 4 Months $ 2,868.64 Total Property Taxes $ 717.16Total $ 3,318.64 Total Insurance(s) $ 150.00 HOA / Maintenance $ - Monthly PMI $ - Total $ 4,210.31Total Estimated CostsEstimated Closing Costs $ 12,919.50 Estimated Escrow Prepaids $ 6,584.27 Estimated Funds To Closing $ 187,003.77

When it is a new development, it isn't uncommon to see someone use the date the Certificate of Occupancy was issued - perhaps that marks the "ready", but it still might not be "available".So you can certainly have a property in service in a given year, but not actually have any rental income - but certainly your facts and circumstances are much better if you can actually get a tenant in there, that (should) shore up your defense on that question ever coming up unless you are playing weird games just to get a given in service date for tax purposes.

Additionally, there are Underwriting and Transaction Coordinator certification classes.

Also, the seller should provide you with completed estoppel certificates whereas you should be responsible for notifying residents of the change in ownership.