However, if you are looking for the lease expensive over time then go with an LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile or plank)  it will hold up to rental abuse and not have to be replaced every 5 years.You get what you pay for.

Yes due to political leadership, theft, and overall abuse has caused crime and weaker law enforcement that has adversely affected Birmingham city growth but recently showing more positive signs.

Lazy landlords suffer the risk of tenant abuse of utilities.

One word of advice that was given by  @Brandon Turner in his rental property book is if you plan to rent use laminate over the hardwood, as you know it will get abused.

(Think military reassignment or domestic abuse/stalking victim). 

(A) A landlord who is a party to a rental agreement shall do all of the following:(1) Comply with the requirements of all applicable building, housing, health, and safety codes that materially affect health and safety;(2) Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;(3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary condition;(4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances, and elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord;(5) When the landlord is a party to any rental agreements that cover four or more dwelling units in the same structure, provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of a dwelling unit, and arrange for their removal;(6) Supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection;(7) Not abuse the right of access conferred by division (B) of section 5321.05 of the Revised Code;(8) Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.

Although I agree the system can be abused, coming from California Arkansas looks like a landlords paradise.

While the goal of affordable housing is noble, my experience has been that a not insignificant number of folks are abusing the system to the detriment of folks who probably really need housing.

If the contracts allow for release of funds too easily, there is a risk that someone will abuse that liberty.

I just stated what worked for me and as I mentioned, I was doing a small bathroom, not necessarily the same abuse as kitchen cabinets may go through.