Negative cash flow is not a deal breaker for me but as an investment I have to see a means to generate return that justified the effort and risk of residential RE.  

I've heard the stove can be the deal breaker when it comes to classification as ADU.In your area, Sherman Oaks, a friend of mine bought a house last year with a completely permitted garage conversion (done by the previous owner a few years ago).

It's relatively outdated as it's a '97 house and apparently code has evolved in the past 25 years.For one, it claims the Electrical Panel breaker box cannot be in the master bedroom closet (which is where it's located) nowadays and there's no outside shut off valve.

You might get lucky.I'm dealing with my own issues right now as I have a 5 plex that is not nob and tube but is screw in fuses and the insurance company (auto owners) threw a fit and demand the fuse boxes all be replaced with breakers or they will drop me.I'm right down to the wire and they have issued a do not renew order until fixed because it has taken 7 months to get all the paperwork and consumers on board with the update.I have a really good electrician coming in two weeks now that he finally has his permits, parts and pieces, electrical company ready for the work to be done.The electrician warned that he was only doing this because he was friends with my PM.

For example:General-Filters (furnace, air conditioning, oven exhaust, refrigerator, and water)-Stove burner when the “eye” needs simple replacement-Batteries and remotes that service the premises-Fan and light pull strings-Smoke and carbon alarms testing and batteries-Ensuring appliances are properly plugged in, hooked up, and used-Removing dirt, debris, and lint in and from connection pipes (e.g. clothes dryer)-Tighten loose screws on all home functions (e.g. doors, hinges, handles, socket -Balancing off-balance appliances-Cable, internet, and phone jacks-Fire extinguishers-Systems operation (e.g. security, irrigation, HVAC)HVAC-Monthly A/C filter and drain line maintenance Electrical-Reset “tripped” GFI breakers-Light bulbs (throughout and at the end of the tenancy)-Blown fuses-Reset breakers in the outside and inside breaker boxes-Socket and plug outlet coversPlumbing-Unclog drains or toilets-Caulking around tubs and showers as needed-Gas pilot lighting-Leaky faucets and shower heads-Toilet flappers, handles, seats and seat lids, tank lid, and flush kit-Sink and tub stoppers-If septic tank present, use RID-X as directed on consumer box-Proper cleaning of garbage disposal-Loose faucets and sprayer heads and hoses-Faucet filters (i.e. aerator)-Open exterior plumbing clean out when necessary (e.g. sewage backup)Exterior-Routine lawn (and pool) maintenance-Adjusting sprinkler heads as necessary-On the last month of tenancy, tenant must perform required lawn maintenance no sooner than 2 days prior to vacate dateThere’s a lot to consider as a landlord.

Smoke alarms should be hardwired, interlocking and on a dedicated circuit.

The disposal most likely is just plugged and the breaker popped and needs to be reset.

Instead, they miss the cloth or aluminum wiring and poor circuit allocation and instead show you with their fancy plug that "polarity is reversed"; or the always arbitrary "the roof likely only has 5 more years left max" because they see a 3-tab shingle from the ground and completely miss hail/wind damage on a newer architectural shingle citing its "lifetime warranty".

it’s a 3 bedroom and about a mile away from USF so we considered that but the rooms are different sizes so I didn’t know if that would be a deal breaker for renting to college kids? 

If you don't have an over-the-range microwave ask an electrician how much to add a circuit, it could be pretty cheap, but it might be expensive too.