Were this a Virginia case, I would focus on the Civil side of the equation as opposed to the criminal side, but an attorney in California may tell you different.

If you didn't have a monthly $1200 lease payment, you could probably afford several SFH payments without even factoring the rent into the equation.

I've been a landlord for 4 years and find it difficult to keep compassion out of the equation.  

That equates to $4,800 to $8000 per year (depending on you time frame) of savings...  

Let it reflect poorly on Verizon or on whoever they choose to provide internet, leave me out of the equation, I want nothing to do with customer satisfaction when it comes to internet.

I would hold them to two weeks rent obligation, by the way, especially if you have a record of them promising the new date.The other part of this equation that just won't work is multiple channels of communication with the tenant.  

Which equates to about $1700 per year.

Dollar wise it equates to 119$ per month over 12 months.

HUD requires 2 rent periods to review it (which basically equates to 90 days so plan ahead), and if the new rate is not a fair rate for the market they may decline it.  

Most of the time the rent raise is only $30 (which equates to $1 per day).