A rent provision in the lease should also address what operating costs the landlord and the tenant will be responsible for and how rent disputes will be addressed.

if its your first deal it certainly could not hurt but a very good broker is generally all you need... someone with 10 years under their belt type experience probably has seen most scenarios  rentals are simply not that complicated.. you want the lawyer for the title work in your state.. out our way we RARLY use lawyers unless we are in a dispute.

I would definitely start by discussing the issue maybe you can come to a resolution with the tenant where they either pay you for the plants to have them replanted or you agree on a dollar amount that will be help from their deposit when they move out.

I just have never been sued before from a tenant, and just shocked its 10 times what the dispute is over!

Or a variance for a comparable option the municipality deems as a resolution.  

(For example putting them up in a hotel for a night or two until the place was sealed)so for example in Nebraska, a bat would be tested by the University and if it positive you would get the vaccine but if not, then it's over.http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Documents/Nebr_Rab...so I'd envision animal control call -> testing -> resolution would have been a path, but they shunted all that.

You should also keep annual meeting minutes, document resolutions, maintain accurate accounting books/records, and draft up an Operating Agreement.

@Dany Pelletier, either way, going by your resolution, please make sure that by October 13 you have at least $30k extra in the bank than you already have! 

I have never had one in 30 years of dealing with tenants.. law suits are most likely in the real estate transaction itself IE misrepresentation by a buyer or seller.. or partnership disputes..REmember who your tenants are .. and also remember there is not a lawyer on the planet that would take on a case on contingency unless you were a big dog..

I have suggested to a few clients to request a flood zone dispute with their lender - I send over the FZD I have (that has a map) and explain that the structure is what the lender can require coverage on.Sometimes the lender agree with our FZD sometimes they do not care and will keep their information.