But I have to be concerned with leases then, because a lease is a contract after all, so is having rental property more than just owning property within that interpretation?

Opinion based on numbers...thus facts as interpreted by me, and explained by me to show the connection between the numerical facts and the question posed here. 

Interpretation: you need to seek out and buy properties from people who are too dumb to list their property for sale, and who will sell below market value.

Yes, you could do this deal with just a handshake and everything might be okay but it leaves everything up to a lot of interpretation by the court and it would be a he-said, she-said situation.

I would love to see those studies and how they're being interpreted. 

I don't yet have any legitimate experience in real estate investing, but my professional training has allowed me to become comfortable interpreting, researching for, and drafting contracts and other legal instruments.

I interpreted the rent terms to be monthly as evidenced by the fact the water bill came to the tenant not the landlord.  

I don't think Garn St Germain says that, and it sounds like someone's optimistic interpretation.  

Have a read here: http://www.bankersonline.com/lending/sscra.html (Search for "installment")Reads to me that if he decides to break the lease and walk, you're OK, but IANAL.It also reads like there is only a provision if he entered the lease prior to being on active duty, at least according to one interpretation I read.

I suppose it depends on what your interpretation of a deal is--I like fixers.