A good lease clearly outlines the obligations of both the resident and landlord and makes things run more smoothly when there are issues.That said, even the best lease cannot counteract the laws written by left-leaning states, nor the rulings of activist judges.

Yeah I've considered this too, every time I drive by one decaying in a nearby parking lot.

However you are typically paying yourself back (with interest) to counteract that reverse compound effect.

If they are backed up with debris, the water can pour behind the wood fascia boards and into the building.Squirrels can also work their way into roof lines and into the attic space, allowing wind and rain in.A brand new roof should be good for 20-30 years depending on things like weather, how much sun the roof gets, hail and wind damage.Good indications of a roof on the way out: shingles starting to curl on the edges, moss or other vegetation growth, missing shingles, shingles that have shifted, staining from chimney flashing or roof vent flashing, multiple layers of shingles, torn underlayment, soft or compromised sheathing (plywood or other wood products like ceder shingles).If you can get into the attic space you might be able to see what's happening, but that's not always possible.If the roof feels soft when walking on it or touching it, the sheathing is probably water-soaked or decaying.

Person was also not found for 12 days so body decayed inside the home.

I played up the bank's liability from the decaying pool fence and slight brick cracking due to settling about an inch over a 30 year period. 

That being said, the midwest ain't all full of decaying crap either in war zones.  

That's the only way you're going to get the exceptions you'll need to counter act you income.

The center of the house had fallen in on itself and virtually everything was oozing and decaying front wood rot, termite damage, water damage, copper theft, and virtually every other form of abuse a house can possibly be subjected to.

All the roofs were re-done and when they got into roofs, the mansard portion was decayed as well as the plywood underneath.