That’s why you’re the poster child for coming in on-time and leaving when the job is done, not when the clock runs out.6.

I could move family into a unit but that did not work for us (child was about to start at UCSB out of town). 

You may consider paying your child (18 or older) a reasonable and customary management fee to handle calls, collect rents, arrange maintenance, and prepare leases.

I am tied to this area because of child custody/school reasons so moving too far away is not an option. 

Unless yours is a designated 55+ community, you can't decline an applicant for having children, or a specific child.

OK I Don't Live an expensive lifestyle Lets just say child support is kinda killing my regular paycheck i bring in.

Nothing like looming costs of a child and unsure employment to get those financial gears cranking!

If you are going to pay for part of your child's college, car, etc... you will need more than one job to fund lots of expenses or your lifestyle.  

Here’s my question: I’d be putting about 8k into repairs and such, if it were you, would you just treat it as a mother in law apartment as if renting it to my child or mother or claim everything as if it were a full rental?

If they cannot keep it the child who it belongs to needs to step up and cart it away.