While some issues like filing a federal tax return are the same everywhere, sometimes beneficial to use someone locally where you plan to invest.   

My question is - Would it be worth filing an amendment to my 2017 taxes to reclassify this property as a rental, or would this property still not qualify as a rental because it was not rented or listed for rent in the 2017 calendar year?

I am not in your market, just felt it was important to provide a voice for your PM as they are not in on this and have more insight than all of us as to what is actually happening with the Tenants and the building.

You want to be sure you do all of it right (filing your taxes properly) so that happens.

@Melvin Listi was a tile setter, never filed taxes.

Since, most will not pay, you then file for a normal eviction basically.

I’m in a townhome so city says I can’t do homeowner filing.

Our concern would be that the hours we account for will be paid via payroll and that is subjected to payroll tax and then we pay taxes again when we file. 

If you are filing Schedule E (Individual tax return) you have to do that anyways. 

Time ran out so I filed with the court and sheriffs office.