Obviously all I know is what you've told us here but my approach would be to assert your position firmly but in a way to not completely torch the bridge.

Don't be afraid to be assertive.

My wife asserts that we can issue a notice claiming that the tenant make good on the check otherwise he'll be up for a penalty three times the amount if the ruling is made in our favor.

I just posted about this issue as my Number 1 landlord hack.A ETF is not punishment and I disagree with Bill Gulley 's assertion that it is, it's a clause that allows the tenant to lock in and quantify their costs related to termination of their rental agreement with me.Re-leasing a property is not free.

I agree with pretty much all your assertions with Las Vegas.

Be assertive 

Also, I would imagine, this property would be treated as a mobile home park which is a hard assert class to find lenders for. 

Colorful commentary, flippant statements, subjective opinions, and unsupported assertions are what seem to get people in trouble. 

Maybe there's an odd assertion that a 5+ unit property in San Diego for $1M (just assuming 25% down) is in a horrible area?  

Landlording is a people business and asserting yourself is the most important thing you must be able to do.