I work in the aerospace and defense industry. 

Their defense is going to be that they were forced to not have a stove and will show the pictures they have sent you to paint you as a slumlord.

My opinion of a defensible or indefensible fee is irrelevant.

People are quick to come to your defense based on your testimony, so I wanted to provide mine as well.

OMG.....defense....testimonial story....call to action for the referral.  

For sure I remember the past 80s and 90s busts ( cold war ending loss of 10000s defense jobs) and there was way more buildable land 30 years ago, still mostly way outside LA proper back then in Simi, Conejo, Santa Clarita or Antelope Valleys.

However, I can do a significant update and make the right repairs with the numbers I see right now, but I cannot justify over-rehabbing when the intention is to hold as a rental and in a market where it doesn't make sense.I don't mean to sound defensive, but please tell me if I'm missing something here.Don't take that as you'll be a slumlord, you're right, many begin with low end properties with good intentions, but the economic constraints begin to play and pretty soon, you won't put more money in because your return is the most important aspect.

No defense.

At best, the homeowner will likely be defensive and irritated.  

.- in my experience Umbrella Insurance is very easy to get and should be your first line of defense.