I am especially concerned about the taxes and licensing/permitting issues in Ithaca -- measures that were theoretically supposed to control abusive slumlords but actually seem to be pushing small-scale sustainable landlords out of business.

Your Property Manager and the contractors should be able to tell if this is abuse or just coincidence.

The refusal to report the abuse allows (and encourages) it to continue.

The abuse old oak can take when it's been painted like this and still clean up is amazing.

We just explain they get abused especially with the kids.  

This would be fine in theory for refinancing purposes but would likely limit your buying pool to those with commercial lending.Zoning is not in question in Los Angeles as they are "by right", meaning if they fit on the property, permission can't be denied due to recent legislation.For me, I ultimately decided against the build because my property was a pretty tight fit for the ADU units driving the cost up and a number of negative factors for the rest of the property made it iffy for me to begin with. 

And that pine I don't like that much puts up with the abuse that the guests dish out.  

I've now had multiple insurance companies/ their underwriters deny the home. 

You can ask for an umbrella policy that will "drop down" and provide coverage if the underlying landlord policy denies coverage.

If this is due to an old sewer line and it happens through ordinary use, then you should pay for the maintenance as well as any cleanup required because of the backup.If it was caused by tenant neglect or abuse, then the Tenant should be held responsible.