Minimum of 22.5 hours of continuing education over 24 months (sometimes vendors will chip in).

Chipped paint, and a multitude of other tenant caused issues (unsanitary conditions, pests, torn screens, etc.) will get your rent abated.

Actually poker is slightly negative sum since you have to pay the dealer a chip now and then.

If I move forward and do this I may mention that to the landlord, seems like that may be a good bargaining chip!

Sitting on it for a few more years and chipping away at the mortgage may be my best option at this time.  

You’re fortunate that they returned to paying full rent and are slowly chipping away at the unpaid balance.

It is possible to repair small cracks or chips.

Windows - old windows don’t keep in heat and… are particularly dangerous with chipping paint pre 19784.

Here in CA if lead is in the paint you mask off the area, remove flaking chips, wet sand where needed, and paint over it.  

Ponder on this, you need a lead test if you are to touch any paint near a window if the house is built pre-1978, and if it tests positive, you need to hire somebody who has EPA certificate, they have to get a full coveralls, painters hat, shoe covers, and respirators, then you need an abatement company to throw away those garbage bags even if its only a few chips of paint.