@Dan W.You are quoting a housing and anti eviction organizer to form your opinion of the stability of an area to own rentals? 

I am very anti cash for keys. 

The anti-landlord legislation is almost as bad as Seattle. 

So instead of it being a dirty smudge in the bottom of the bath, it's now a life saving anti slip coating.

I'm well versed in the NJ Anti-eviction statute. leases must be renewed  or go MtoM if the tenant wishes, and rent increases cannot be "unconscionable",the interpretation of that up to the individual judge hearing the case. http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdfCan anyone elaborate on how him being on the lease improves my situation over him potentially being a squatter after the lease has been terminated by the leaseholders?

This is borderline anti-capitalistic socialistism but that is what happens in Washington state.

Even in LA, seems like West Hollywood is very anti-Airbnb while Los Angeles downtown seems like they just want to make sure they get the hotel taxes. 

The deal must be reviewed by the city to be allowed to move forward- currently highly overvalued market by all metrics, price to income etc - low appreciation and returns compared to emerging EU member states and US(most RE companies offer annual returns around 10% (minus high taxes) for high risk speculative investments)- extreme anti landlord legislation Basically, if you love France and want a secondary residence sure go ahead, but otherwise, given the number of attractive alternatives available at the moment, i don't see any valid reason to invest in France unless you are french and unable to invest elsewhere.

Another thing that I didn't see anyone mention is your tenants are protected by the anti eviction act which applies to 3 units and higher non owner occupied dwellings....There are only ~ 12 reasons roughly why a tenant can be evicted while protected by the NJ anti eviction act..

@Dan CrenshawIf the boiler has an anti-freeze setting, I would have it enabled and configured, if not, you can install a control to override the internal thermostat which will keep the house at a minimum temperature and will run the boiler every X minutes/hours as a freeze prevention.We have it written in the lease that tenants must maintain a minimum heat of 10C in the unit even when they are away, and that they will be responsible for any costs arising from frozen plumbing within the conditioned space of the unit.Where this is not the first time your tenants have done this I would pass though the service costs to them.