I don't know how she stays in business with that attitude.  

If landlords would understand and embrace this policy they could drop their defeatist attitude regarding filing suite and collecting from delinquent tenants.

Keep with the attitude of excelling.

The tenant has the same attitude and they also figure the damage is already done, so they just stop caring.

Something to keep in mind about any person that has been evicted it that they have no respect what so ever for landlords, they will have a attitude and if push comes to shove they will force you to evict them.You will need to train this tenant hard from day one and make sure you let them know if for any reason they want out of the lease all they need to do is give you 60 days notice.

If I had a tenant with your attitude, I'd give them a notice of termination immediately.You're not an arm's length tenant.  

The reasons for my decision to diversify away from the UK is primarily due to political reasons - the general attitudes from a political perspective are currently quite toxic towards landlords - i.e. a number of new taxes and regulations have been introduced over the past few years to make rental investing less attractive and to encourage more home ownership - I don't expect this to change in the near future (as an example, it is now not possible to deduct mortgage interest from the income before taxation in the UK). 

California is unique in there attitude of "stick it to the new guy, why should I pay?".  

You can take much more relaxed attitude regarding the legal side and take DIY attitude, I know a lot of people do that.

Your last paragraph tells me you've been reading my posts :)I'm glad to hear your attitude and the fact that you'll be seeking competent advice.There are methods of conducting wholesaling legally and ethically but they are not taught by gurus as they prefer to "dumb down" their "products" in order to market simplified approaches.