I've been reading up on Civil Code section 1950.5 and it sounds like I can't get charged for items she didn't say were an issue and that if the place was left in better condition than it was when I moved in, the cleaning charges shouldn't have been incurred.

Based on the size of your lot, it would be overkill to hire a land use attorney...perhaps you have a civil engineer or other less expensive alternative who could represent you?  

Google the words I placed below, they may help you get a better understands of the process. stock planscost-to-build builders setbacks(front, rear & sides)density profilewetlands drainage surveyor civil engineers geo tech perc. test impact feesfeasibilityThe list is to long but this should help you a bit more.

There so much litigation related to security deposits that it simply removes that liability of not paying back enough, the correct amount of interest, etc.

That is, when a tenant gets litigation-happy if they hurt themselves on the property or something, it's not me personally liable, it's the LLC.Of course, the outside protection isn't there.

I think it has been litigated, but I think we Realtors won.

It has recently come to my attention that there is some sort of civil litigation between the existing landlord and the tenant and the tenant had at one point, a year ago, filed a complaint with the city housing department over repairs that had not been completed.

Insurance is not going to cover you in all the scenarios - asset protection strategies/structures complement regular insurance and represent insurance against litigation - so I would say you should put that in place when you have substantial equity and cash flow to protect. 

Hopefully I am not too late to get in on this meet up.Little background on me; I graduated from Clemson University with a Civil Engineering degree and have worked and still am working as a civil engineer in Greenville for the past 2 years.

Using the S&P500 as a proxy for economic activity, the US as a civilization is TWICE as overextended as it was in 2007.