In a field that one would think is so competitive and secretive you've nurtured a network of abundance.

At a bare minimum, the following is true;A) You can be sued for impeding an easement.B) You can be on the hook for damages as a result thereof.C) Neighbor MAY have a valid easement to the oleander, we don't know.D) Neighbor MAY suffer damages as a result, we don't know.The smart thing to do is not to block the easement until having, at the least, sought out a *free* consultation with a local Real Estate litigation attorney; who are in abundance in the state of California.As to your second point; yes it is illegal in many states to give legal advice on the internet.

It seems like you have an abundance of nosy neighbors to feed you all the information you need if you so desire.

I allow my tenants to pay with check, but I make it abundantly clear that the funds have to be cleared and in my account by the deadline.

Tell a good story, support it with an over abundance of evidence, and master using the other peoples words against them...you seem to be skilled at that with the back pedaling comment.My other advice is why carpet?

This strategy seems to work best where A) the FMR is high enough for you to have good cashflow B) you have a rental where someone actually wants to live (ie not a War Zone) and C) the market is tight enough where your rentals are in demand (ie there aren't an abundance of nicer looking units under the FMR that will accept Section 8).

Rationale is why bother to talk yourself into accepting them (scarcity mentality) instead of finding another "cleaner" tenant (abundance mentality).  

You said there's an abundance of lots on the market, what about houses?

Abundance of follow on work available. 

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED and only God knows who've helped from the greatness of their hearts, HE will grant you ten-folds and abundantly. 75% of American Samoa is out of electricity for however long, people need food and water, especially the hospital with so many injured people who needs supplies and medical attentions.