The lease also states I can report financial matters to credit agencies, and I believe a deficit in security deposits would qualify but I'm sure I'd never recover the deficit, even with a judgement for it. 

I agree with you Sub too in the hands of undercapitalized buyer's is a huge risk to a seller if the seller indeed cares about their credit and or potential of a deficiany judgement

That's not a value judgement about your strategy, it has clearly worked for you and that's great, but it is a statement of facts that we all should agree on. 

My PM told me they will report to collections but said if I were to pursue a legal action they can support in providing any docs to attorney .I did some online search and found that even if judgement came in my favor it would be hard to extract any money as I am responsible for money collection and not the court.

No judgement, you have held the property for 12 years and have not considered selling it up to this point.  

Not a value judgement as I am sure many on the right have good reasons why they do this with pollsters, just reality.Thus, one can interpret Redfin's poll results as likely skewing more to the left than the actual home-buying public does.

The mortgage is from 2015 and the judgement line is from 2012.  

Yes you can be sued personally anyway, but more often than not they are dismissed in a Motion for Summary Judgement. 

I met him on BP and assumed that meant he was a good guy despite my better judgement.

Person harmed already filed lis pendens - they have to prove the case then get judgement then lien the property but the filing holds up refinancing or selling.