AC repairs, dish washer repairs and such are most likely going to be deemed "normal wear and tear" (unless the tenant somehow physically damaged the equipment on purpose).  

The inspector checks out the major systems such as mechanical equipment, roof, foundation, parking lot electrical, pool, plumbing, etc. 

My tenant has a home studio, and is worried about pictures of their equipment floating out in the web.

Well you farm it, share crop it, hold it for appreciation, build a house and rent it, turn it into a hunting preserve, Operate your business on it, store your business equipment on it, hold it until best and highest use appears, etc.In other words there could be many ways to demonstrate your intent to hold that property for productive use.  

There are several restoration outfits around town, so getting multiple prices from them makes sense, but I wouldn't put GC's in the mix unless you are certain that they are equipped to handle the specifics of this.

So I wonder what are other landlords using for security lighting and surveillance of external common areas of their properties - including keeping a eye and/or light on HVAC equipment beside and behind the building?

Method Homes was doing SFR's, but not with the equipment we were using.

We turned all their manufacturing equipment, multiple bags of marijuana and used heroin syringes and spoons over to the police.

I worked for an office equipment leasing company since age nineteen .

The cash flow isn't great these days, but the market is solid, linear, and cash flow will improve with time, so as long as it's cash flow positive on day one, and it doesn't look like we're going to have to drop a few grand in the next 5 years to replace equipment or a roof, I want to be there.