It forces you to use commercial financing with larger down payments and shorter adjustable rate terms.If you don't have a partner, I would just keep in my personal name and maintain adequate insurance to cover the liability. 

When you close there is advanced property tax, title you need to ascertain that  $2K is adequate to cover it. 

With only one duplex your taxes probably aren't that complicated, as long as you take your depreciation and expenses related to the property there aren't really other "secret" deductions you can get, any accountant that knows about rental properties will be perfectly adequate if you don't want to do your taxes yourself.

First, you need to make sure that you have adequate amount of liability insurance coverage, at least $300,000.

Ensure that you put the adequate sub base in place and rent a tapper/soil compacter, form the pavement area, order the concrete from your local concrete plant and place it yourself.

The city council is taking an emotional response to this issue rather than taking responsibility for policies that hinder adequate development.While unemployment is nearing 50 year lows, and personal incomes are on the rise, the marginalized are getting left behind and are suffering.  

We spend the first couple years adding value to get  expenses down and rent up so that our properties reliably earn around $200/door within a couple of years and there is money available for adequate maintenance and capex.

It is bad that most of us were grown up to be trustworthy of others and just should not expect that some people would cheat us out or hard-earned money or given adequate education about work for personal finances.  

Is this really necessary, or would a 1 page document with the new terms and rent be adequate?

You have a valid concern about liability, but it is easily resolved by making sure they have adequate liability insurance.