It just takes longer days on market (30-60 days) and lots of conversations with landlords explaining why people have more options and go with the best one for the dollar and why we have to be more flexible in terms of pricing and requirements these days.

Yes, you can enforce your lease agreement as to the tenant, but unless you require the sub-tenant to use a specific lease agreement, the tenant could use a lease agreement that does not match the way your lease agreement governs the tenancy.

AB1482 says:“This property is not subject to the rent limits imposed by Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code and is not subject to the just cause requirements of Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code.

I am open to properties that may require minimal renovations if the deal aligns with my investment criteria.My long-term plan is to scale my portfolio deliberately, ideally acquiring multiple properties within the next 1-2 years.

I have come across multiple properties - typically houses that require rehab - where the seller is not the owner of the property but what I believe to be a wholesaler or investor who has been assigned the rights of the property to sell to an end buyer (me) for a (substantial) fee. 

Of course, if they don't vacate the premises by the date they are required, you should take the necessary step to terminate the tenancy, whether by a 3 Day Notice to Pay or if they are a holdover, by delivering demand to vacate with notice that they are a holdover and owe double rent per F.S. 83.58.

Utilities are costing me around 450/mo plus another 400/mo for pool and garden maintenance.

Not to disagree with Thomas or Jaron, but a question I would have is more to the termination requirements for your jurisdiction. 

He has agreed to pay off the taxes owed.I'm not what steps are required for us to move forward. 

I didn't know anything about accounting for vacancies, maintenance, etc.