.: Quote from @Charles Perkins: Washington law gives tenants the option of paying the security deposit over several months depending on the lease term length. 

But it’s a bubble and they are making a lot of changes in the laws to continue that bubble.

There is a lot more state regulations and lending laws change when 5 units or great.

I would believe so, but it is always good to check the local laws.

Check your local/state law.

If it’s not required by law, you might ask why it’s being done now and if there are alternative ways to address the concern.Going forward, consider setting a clear spending threshold with your property manager.

I'll work on reviewing my state laws & getting something like that into my lease. 

Hi Anthony-You asked about the best ways to find off-market deals for your in-laws to buy and move into and you are focussed on the Santa Barbara, CA area which I have been to and it is gorgeous.It kind of reminds me of an Ann Arbor on the ocean. :)Anyway, I like your strategy of driving and looking for houses in need of repair and sending handwritten letters and contacting rentals for the reasons you gave.

Sewer line backup, ordinance & law, and replacement cost coverage are coverages I include. 

Similarly, My mother-in-law went to live in assisted living homes rather than us having a guest house in the backyard of our current home where we could have hired a nurse full time to be here with her to take care of her at our home.