Most people can't afford that much of an increase and rather than finding another place, some may be inclined to just stop paying the rent knowing that they can't be evicted.

Then I'd be more inclined to do it.I've got a couple of houses with the same issue.

At that rate, I would be more inclined to wait the 6 months that most require.

Even then I'd probably be inclined to pay cash. 

Also consider that newspapers are more inclined to run letters about topics - news, editorials and opinion pieces - that have recently been covered by the paper.

we cant say 100% in either direction because we cannot see or know the extent of roach problem. what we do know though, is that health and safety concerns (which can stem from bug problems) are usually very frowned upon in the court system, especially in NJ which is very tenant friendly. if this went to court, you would be the big bad slumlord up against the poor, deprived tenant who was tricked into living in a roach infested apartment. of course, I have no way of knowing what the truth is, and I'll assume its not since you seem like a decent person. the fact though, is that the tenant should not have a roach problem the first month living there unless he or she lived like an absolute pig. if she had lived there 8 months, I would be more inclined to push the issue. since she has had bug issues since the beginning my instincts are telling me that what is right, would be to let her leave at the end of the month and agree to amicably end the lease.

My inclination would be to dig in my heels and take the "there was grass, it was destroyed on your watch", but the advice of "let them out of the lease and move on" may be the best. 

I'm inclined to help out in some way, on humanitarian grounds, but it isn't like the furnace is faulty or something like that.

In the past I protested myself but over time found the CAD appraisers are more inclined to negotiate with a tax protest company than me as an individual.

If you are so inclined, and especially since from your post you may intend to self-manage, you may want to consider leasing yourself.