Keep grinding.

It's time to make some noise and push back. 

The other units are tenants on annual leases.I am concerned whether this may be a negative to the other tenants due to more traffic from strangers every few days, may be more noise at night?

Here is that list:KitchenWindow near panty doesn't openPantry shelves and storage areas not cleanedOld items left in apartment (former tenant's junk in closets, etc)Hole in bottom and side of cabinet above stove (just an fyi)Floor has damaged areas (fyi only)Back Corner BedroomBroken exterior window, glass not cleaned upBlind missingWindow not sealedCrack in ceiling in closet (fyi only)Middle BedroomBlind in right side is brokenLarge BathroomFan makes loud high pitch noise (only sometimes)Minor stains in floor (clean if possible, or just fyi)Molding is cracked on tub (fyi)Blind doesn't work properlyFront BedroomBoth blinds missingFront ClosetItems left behindLiving RoomWindow sills very dirty, have spider websSmall cabinet to right of fireplace difficult to open/shutFireplace is not cleaned - wood and ashes left behindStain on entry french doors (looks like a booger)GeneralHot water does not workAll window sills are very dirty, some have spider webs (screens were left open allowing spiders to access)Many electrical outlets are recessed further than they should be - some plugs may not be able to plug inWindows (interior or exterior are dirty/stained)Door from dining room to kitchen should be removed (no door handle from dining room side and door scratches ground)Vegetation at front door needs to be cut back (covering mailbox, blocking entry to door)Exterior of house is dirty, should be power washed - looks like a sore thumb in the neighborhoodWe basically agree on having the apartment cleaned (windows, "booger" thing, etc), loose items removed, removing the door, correcting the vegetation and having all of the blinds replaced, hot water being corrected. 

And over time, I realized that I wasn't really truly happy grinding everyday to make someone else rich.

I think networking is your best bet and then just grinding at it.

The road noise isn't terrible considering how close to the highway it is.

If the contract reads as you say, they may never have originally intended to pay you, and the window is just a cover excuse.One of the clues to me would be their being "furious" (possibly an act) over this.I've seen similar behavior before in other circumstances where they never intended to pay the money they promised.Finding some little fault (personally made up reasons) as an excuse to not pay the entire amount (not just a portion).Or you could just capitulate and put the window in, and then it might be, it's 2 inches too far to left, or the work was not done good enough, or the workmen made too much noise, or the workmen stepped on a petunia in the front yard.But if it is that, and you just put the window in, there may be more made up problems to prevent paying you.When dealing with some people it's best not to sign anything until ALL money crosses the palm.Good Luck!

Such as “the neighbor was up late” “the neighbor makes too much noise” “the neighbor is smoking weed” I have a handful of C to C- Duplexes. 

Our management company has late fees (obviously) we have also recently added administrative fees for garbage tickets or noise violations, fines for parking on the lawn or anywhere other than where you are supposed to park (next door parking lot or neighbors property) and fines for hanging out on the roof of a house.