Protecting yourself as a landlord in Jersey City NJ

[Eric S.]

For my first property I was considering doing a "house hack" and buy a multi family in Jersey City/Bayonne. However, I've heard plenty of "horror stories" about tenants not paying rent and just squatting, being destructive, etc etc. Since New Jersey is very tenant friendly, my budget isn't going to be cover downtown, and I'm also going to live in part of the building I was wondering what people do or have done to protect yourself as the landlord. I would also like to know if you have had great experiences because I may just be focusing too much on the negative. 

Some areas I was looking to buy were: JSQ, Bergen Lafayette, the Heights, and Bayonne. I'm quite a while off from buying but really want to be prepared for when I am.