It has since become defunct.There is a pretty decent clubhouse at the entrance of the subdivision that is vacant and apparently for sale.

And going to the courts to petition an emergency entrance with the “police” would take days.

Has anyone had success in converting the primary bedroom and bathroom suite into its own unit and requiring tenant to access unit through a private entrance (backyard or side yard entrance to bedroom)? 

Then, you need to develop criteria for a series of "steps" (properties), with each "exit" from one property becoming the "entrance" to the next property, that leads you through your milestones and to your goals.  

Common hallway repairs were staged so that they could have access to one entrance to their apartment. 

Though if I go that route of adding the master bath, there is the potential of giving the master it's own private entrance, private outdoor space, and turning it into a med term rental.

In my area, we get snow and ice tracked into the building so we use a large, commercial grade mat for the entrance.

(a) Except in instances where statutes or regulations provide for a2 payment, fee or charge, no landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor may3 demand any payment, fee, or charge for the processing, review or accept-4 ance of an application, or demand any other payment, fee or charge5 before or at the beginning of the tenancy, except background checks and6 credit checks as provided by paragraph (b) of this subdivision, provided7 that this subdivision shall not apply to entrance fees charged by8 continuing care retirement communities licensed pursuant to article9 forty-six or forty-six-A of the public health law, assisted living10 providers licensed pursuant to article forty-six-B of the public health11 law, adult care facilities licensed pursuant to article seven of the12 social services law, senior residential communities that have submitted13 an offering plan to the attorney general, or not-for-profit independent14 retirement communities that offer personal emergency response, house-15 keeping, transportation and meals to their residents.16 (b) A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor or grantor may charge a fee or fees17 to reimburse costs associated with conducting a background check and18 credit check, provided the cumulative fee or fees for such checks is no19 more than the actual cost of the background check and credit check or20 twenty dollars, whichever is less, and the landlord, lessor, sub-lessor21 or grantor shall waive the fee or fees if the potential tenant provides22 a copy of a background check or credit check conducted within the past23 thirty days.

To provide some context around house hacking in Austin here's what to expect if you dont assume a loan:(1) Single family house hack with at least 5 bedrooms(2) Multi-family with mid-term or short-term strategy in the other units(3) Sneaky duplex - find a single family and convert a portion with separate entrance to run as hotel style STRThis is what it takes to make something work with todays rates, so if you can supercharge it with an assumable loan, only gets better!

Purchase price: $485,000 Cash invested: $13,0004 bed 4 bath house hack featuring a fully finished basement with its own private entrance.