Are they using the rents collected to offset the debt? 

@Wesin NurThe 1% rule is just a general rule.with all things being equal, good neighborhoods will have a lower % than areas with a bad neighborhood.Good neighborhoods normally require less upkeep and may survive by collecting less than the 1%You also want to determine what the costs normally are for items such as real estate taxes and insurance.If you are in an area with a high property tax / insurance, it will likely be harder for you to cash flow at less than 1%.

If you have old windows that will break soon, I would rather retrofit them for 20% of the cost than wait a bit and have to pay a lot more while not collecting rent. 

We are collectively saving over the next 18 months.

Again, it's their responsibility to collect the rent.

Remember, if we are not collecting rent - we are not getting paid either.

Would I be able to collect a reduced commission when my only role in a transaction is lead generation?

Do you manage the bookkeeping yourself such as collecting escrow payments making payments on taxes/insurance or do you hire a servicing company to do it?

We are getting legislatively manhandled by the tenants' rights groups that are more organized and less fragmented, so our collective voice cannot be heard.  

We are getting legislatively manhandled by the tenants' rights groups that are more organized and less fragmented, so our collective voice cannot be heard.