You need to have provable experience at a journeyman level or higher for minimum 4 years, have someone with the same license classification sign for you, and pass a very difficult 4 hour trade and law exam (pass rate of 1 in 12 or 8%).All the studying in the world is great for you and I suggest taking in all you can get.

@Damen Oser You’ll need to take a pre licensing course, that will teach you everything you need to know to pass a state licensing exam

If they pass a 12 month moratorium on evictions I may as well give my house to the bank and just walk away at this rate. 

@Puri Indah pointed out to me, however, that in 1994, SF pass a law to make even 2 to 4 family properties rent regulated.Prior to 1994, Large Landlords who were affected by Cali's rent regulations started buying 2 to 4 family buildings.

What Heather is saying is that a lease usually stipulates that "guests cannot spend more than XX nights in the residence without being considered a tenant at which point they would need to be added to the lease and pass a screening just like any other tenant."

So California has a measure on the up coming ballet that likely strikes fear in every landlord and investor and it is Called Prop 10 (aka Rent Control).First I want it clear that I think any time "Government" interferes with the free market that bad things happen and most of the time the people that get hurt the most are the people the "Government" is looking to help.Second while I think Prop 10 is a horrible idea and I will vote NO, I fully expect it to pass as it is too sexy a story to say lets freeze rents, lets stick it to the landlords, etc.So if I think it is going to pass what am I doing to get ready for it and what do I expect to happen?

The problem is, it has a big chance to pass as the general public is ignorant and the politicians presenting it will put out adds that will Not be the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

State requirements vary, but in all states you must take a minimum number of classes and pass a test to earn your license.

Second - you'll need a septic....homebuilt w/55 gal drums is perfectly fine, but won't pass a real inspection.Third - You need a propane tank for cooking, heating water, etc.... just haul in 100 gal tanks and swap the out yourself....or get a 300 gal tank from a company and have them fill it every 3 mos.Fourth - A couple solar panels and a few batteries for lights and charging like you saidThis is not cheap nor is it easy, but it is fun.

Also, I just recently inquired on a Fed Pacific box on a property I was interested in purchasing in Santa Rosa county FL and the inspector said it wouldn't pass a 4 point inspection with most insurance companies.