Do you owner occupy this same tri-plex, and are you in a rent controlled area of LA? 

I agree with Laura, if this is a long term rental it would be hard to convince the tenants that they have cameras on the property that the owner controls even with all the stuff that you mentioned (does not turn, only for surveillance for crimes etc.). 

Sure- Idaho has state laws outlawing rent controls.

He's a really smart guy when it comes to supply, demand, rent control, and overall investing

The only overages I will pay are when things pop up outside of anyone's control.

It’s flexible and can help you fund deals quickly.Lease Options: Similar to “rent-to-own,” you control a property with minimal upfront costs and can potentially get a cut of the appreciation if you decide to buy it later.Lines of Credit: If you already own a property with equity, a HELOC or business line of credit can give you accessible funds for down payments or renovation costs.House Hacking: This might sound basic, but if you haven’t tried it, it can be a fast track to building up rental income and experience without a ton of cash down.

Yes, there are things that are out of your control, but my personal POV is the whole "I need an LLC" is a little overblown.  

Most investors will also take into consideration risk, time invested, control over the asset, the ability to do a cash-out refinance, and other factors.

I never buy condos for this exact reason, having someone else control my investment.

You have to understand your rights and maintain control of the situation.