I was one of less than 20 in my high school graduating class to receive their Associate's degree at graduation, while also averaging 30-35 hours a week at work.

Does California has a standard lease agreement used by Real Estate Association that you could download a copy for reference?

use the NJ association of realtors - standard form of real estate contract you can just google it and print it out.

I suggest you get an attorney who specializes in Construction Law - you can often get a recommendation from a regional Builders Association since attorneys are sometimes affiliate members - it should cost you less than $1000 for him/her to send a letter to the contractor stating that you have no intention of paying the fee, that what he is trying to do is an act of fraud and extortion, and that you (the lawyer) will report the actions to the local construction licensing board and state attorney general. 

If you can find a local REIA (real estate investment association) you may find vendors who will do the repairs you need at better rates than you will get from "retail" contractors.  

I always recommend looking at NARPM.org this is the website of the National Association of Residential Property Managers.

Call Michael Thomas at THOMAS & ASSOCIATES in Roseville. 

My RE association recently hosted Robyn Thompson for the weekend to tell us everything she knew about house flipping (well, Nearly Everything) One thing she shared was the "Horsey Letter" It's printed with a watermark of two horses and a corral in the background, to help establish her legitimacy in the area (she lives and works big horse areas in Florida.)

I have used Froistad and Associates for both business and personal taxes and have been happy with them.  

We still have the write offs associated with having the rental units and managing them ourselves.