@Paige Roberts I would modify your lease to prevent this in the future.

I believe it tends to give me a slightly lower return, because the sponsor is going to be more careful, and if there is a severe downturn will prevent me from taking catastrophic losses.

I NEVER, EVER sign a lease ahead of time, just to prevent monkey business like this. 

An ounce of prevention, here.

For the future, is there any way to prevent this from happening?

I don't want sexism to prevent me from bettering my life, but this is really dissuading me from continuing.

Your current situation prevents that.I'm with @Chris Svendsen.

Obviously, I am going to authorize an after-hours call to a plumber if there is a leak that results in water accumulating  under the bathroom sink (preventing property damage is a no-brainer); however, if a toilet is clogged, the water heater stopped working, electric power is no longer coming into a section of the house, then I dont want to pay the premium to have the tradesperson come after-hours (I dont feel like paying a premium for the convenience to my renter) when the call can be made the following day or on Monday if the issue occurs on Sunday morning.  

The 2nd negative can be prevented, if you buy in a community that contributes to their reserves, and has a fully funded reserve schedule.The positives are: you have less to manage.

We want to do it the right way the first time so we do not compromise our relationship and prevent any unforeseen events.