If I make an exception for you, I must make the same exception for every tenant or be guilty of discrimination.Another thing landlords need to recognize is that, if they make an exception one month and take the tenant to court over the same thing another month, the court will say the landlord set a new precedent with this tenant and the same allowances have to be allowed FROM THEN ON! 

But the issues raised in the article are very troubling to hear, such as "your property" can be charged with a crime (but not you), and it is then presumed guilty, seized, and then you have to prove it was not at significant cost in terms of legal fees.  

In common law countries, a crime (as opposed to a civil offense) requires two things: (a) a wrongful act -actus reus and (b) guilty mind - mens rea.There is an old Latin phrase that explains this well and translates as follows: "The act does not make a person guilty unless the mind be also guilty."

Those terms you list I would feel guilty charging, $65 an hour for a maintenance tech being paid $10-$15 hour is way to much.People tend to throw around the word "contractor" to much.

I challenged this because #1, the engineer himself says the chimney does not need any adjustment, he just wants there to be a warranty on it and #2 because I don't think a structural engineer has any right to say that a seller can only use Brand X piers...especially when there is not adjustment needed.After many rounds of my refusing to pay for new piers that were not needed the finance company agreed to not require the structural engineers signoff if I could get them the Olshan paperwork explicitly stating that the piers were warrantied...I got that for them and then they decided that the house needed to be physically inspected by Olshan, so we did that...then they required more paperwork from Olshan but that after I got that for them we would be clear to close but the original closing date had passed so I had to extend the contract, which I did...and then after all this was completed now they tell me that the finance company still requires the structural engineer's signoff, and now the engineer is saying that he will not do it because I have two different brands of piers and that is not acceptable.The buyer's realtor has told my realtor that they have pleaded with the engineer to signoff but he will not do it.I do not see any justification for the engineer to say that it is unacceptable to have two different brands of piers...especially since no work is needed and this is apparently just a fight for a warranty.  

I believe he is guilty of unethical business practices, negligence, breach of contract and fraud. 

I have heard every sob story, excuse and pleading that there is to see or hear.

I would like to either raise money, or take on some partners, and I'm asking (pleading just sounded bad..) for some ideas on deal structure.  

While a well structured program can possibly work for some, I believe that most go into one of these programs seduced by the thought that they are “first movers” in the latest advertising technology, and without a sound basis or realistic assessment.And, while MOST of my marketing is “opt in” , I too am guilty of interruptive marketing as I mass email to my 14000 LinkedIn connections without their express permission.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty!