Finding some father figure to hold your hand for free isn't a common route to success.  

I run my short-term rental business out of my personal house under my LLC, which I drew up a lease between that creates an agreement to pay for utilities, internet and common household products I need to function my business in exchange for the property.

Quick note about the surrounding Baltimore area - there are plenty of ways to househack, however multifamily is not as common in our area than in others (as often discussed in BP books, podcasts, and forums). 

Tony,In the case you described, the two types of policies most commonly used are:1.

Not seen common electricity?

Landlords who do not want that are because they do not want tenants to start storing things in the basement and start making it their common use. 

We have furnished them with keys to the common areas of the building and granted them permission to come and go as they please onto the property to investigate these complaints.

Small banks are best, meet the loan officer, underwriter is two doors down, often common sense driven and invested in the comunity.Like a car race, you need a great car and a fast driver - or a great bank and a strong loan officer.

Is this common?

I understand 3% paid by the investor is a common finder's fee, but this also feels like a unique situation that could allow for a different structure.