Sounds like what you need is to demo the plaster and lathe and then install, finish and paint sheetrock.

Please see below what I found when looking up the building.1274322205/03/2019CLOSEDDEMO COURT1269773401/09/2019CLOSEDDEMO COURT1234366810/11/2018CLOSEDDEMO COURT1231359108/22/2017CLOSEDCHECKLIST INSPECTION1169069110/30/2015CLOSEDCHECKLIST INSPECTION1141934201/13/2015FAILEDPLUMBING COMPLAINT INSPECTION1136116311/14/2014FAILEDCONSERVATION COMPLAINT INSPECT1136111311/12/2014FAILEDCONSERVATION COMPLAINT INSPECTI see that the building was in Demo court but those were closed. 

Another attorney interpreted the substantial remodel as the Ellis Act where you'd have to demo everything to dust, rebuild it AND give old tenants first right of refusal.

@Alex Black Feel your pain...finding myself in a somewhat similar situation now with student housing in PA...in my case renovation that took too long and a will be nice house which currently look as if it was vandalized...demo just over and school start next week...hope to get it rented for spring semester.I would do what @Patricia Steiner recommended...but advertised it by room as well...not familiar with the university you are operating in but there are usually last minute transfers...graduate students that return from fellowships or research abroad...international students which many time have harder time to secure places due to lack of credit and such...all these tenants usually look solo...if you can give the option of renting it furnished then even better.I would also not let the PM handle all the advertising...I am putting the ads with my contact on Places4Students...Perchn and Craigslist...the 2 first sites are specific for student housing...heard also on Uloop...then when I get an inquiry I forward it to PM and follow up with them to make sure prospective tenant was contacted.I also agree @Costin I. above that the responsibility is all ours as investors...I would not run after the PM for every little things...but I would put myself a reminder to ask for copies of the leases by Mid-March and nag the PM until I get them...Even that doesn't always work...I was calling both PM and contractor on an almost bi-weekly basis and still didn't manage to make them move fast enough...and high on my TDL is to look for an alternative management when renovation is done.Good luck

In fact, the entire State of TN is experiencing very positive migration.https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-cities-and-towns.html 

Hey folks,Unfortunately I'm having to demo a detached 2-car garage at one of my properties as it's beyond repair and needs to come down before the winter.

As I understand it, you buy a property that needs lots of work or has lots of trash and you clean it up, maybe do some demo and get it ready to be rehabbed.

. - exemption for removal of a unit from residential use....this also qualifies for demo.

In that case, you still have to rip up the interior drain tile system (which may be in-tact or not, but will get broken when you demo anyways) and install a membrane between the block walls, footings and slab floor.

I can search for properties, be a part of planning the remodel, meet with contractors, do demo work, contribute to the remodel labor...you get the idea.