So long as it's not a "real" mortgage they just brush it off as irrelevant.

@Engelo Rumora I wasn't trying to start any banter, I just thought your statement was a little broad-brushed, sorry if my sarcasm bled through the keyboard...I would love to meet up when you are in town.

Any idea how much is normal to clear brush/trees on vacant land?

I just hope you really see what mistakes you have made, brush yourself off, but get back on that horse, just this time with more knowledge.

Can you comment on brushing, power washing, etc..? 

They were the last house on a short street with trees and brush on that side of their house.  

Also, everyone here will aways say to contact a lawyer about legal situations, so do that if you feel it's necessary, but I'd suggest brushing up on the landlord-tenant laws so you have a better idea of where you are in the process.

Once that gets back to the office, the city attorney gets it, and the case quietly gets brushed under the rug. 

There is a wire brush attachment for a snake, like a chimney sweep brush but smaller, a power snake should be able to clean out the drain, if it's tree roots, there is a cutter that can be attached.

Brush up on weather vs. whether usage, maybe your phone is doing an autocorrect.