@Matthew AyalaFirstly, thank you for serving our country in the military.You're right, having lived in Southern California for 15 years, I agree that housing is crazy expensive there.

To figure out how to raise rents all you'll need to do is serve them a notice that is in line with your states laws.

Your landlord had you on a month to month lease and served you an eviction notice, refuses to take your money, refuses to accept a government aid program that will keep you in the property, he has insulted you and yet "on principal" you say you still want to stay in the property?

I wouldn't leave a small gap as it looks unfinished and doesn't serve any purpose.

Hello, you may want to check TX law, but in a some cases Constables are used to serve people with subpoena, civil papers or some other court order. 

I spent $200, it was done in a couple days, it is completely professional and anonymous, and they will act as my agent if anyone serves legal notice.

I'm currently house hacking a short term rental where I live in Nashville and the numbers are much better than they would be with a long term renter.Anyways, I wish I could add more practical value but I hope this serves as encouragement!

That experience will serve you well here in Atlanta as things continue to heat up.Since you will be flipping OOS, you will definitely want to build a solid team here in ATL.

I am not lawyer... but I just gave "CAL CIV Code 1714" and it sure seems to talk about the rights of people who serve alcohol at events... nothing to do with landlords providing security. 

They will be able to tell you what is happening in the courts and whether or not judges are hearing evictions and if the Sherriff is serving them.