We found this one just by talking about real estate to our friends and at social gatherings.

We have used self created spreadsheets but this year our CPA recommended using something like Quickbooks because it is an acceptable, GAS I think is the term, form of record keeping in case of an audit.

Accept that you're young, you look young, you have no credibility and you have no leverage.From this place of honesty and transparency make your intentions known to whoever you're dealing with. 

Accept nothing less.Gurl power!!

IMO, even the tiny discount would be enough for them to just accept the increase and feel their getting a fair deal.

I think the trick would be to start small and be consistent.Do you set it up as a presentation or just a social gathering?

This will be our first deal if we accept the CLA terms.

." :)Things to consider:maybe they are living there because they can't afford to move and since they realize rents have not been raised in 15 years, they accept their place needs a full reno. 

This will help you streamline  the process to help you accept rental applications, screen tenants, and market syndication which will post your listing to a variety of sites and therefore helping you get tenants to fill your property!

Laws on some particular subject matters do tend to differ from state to state, but, their refusal to accept your "Affidavits" seems absurd.