If you are not licensed, then why would you sign the lease and open yourself up for any lawsuit the tenant may file or cause?

My partner is an experienced home builder with 40 years of experience, however we recently moved to TN and he is not interested in getting his TN GC license.

If I were you (and you meet the items listed above), I would definitely still move forward with licensing since you already have the property.

Been dealing with NYC DOB, initially as an Expediter, now as a Licensed Architect on behalf of my client's and their projects since 2005. 

A good way to avoid this in this future is to use a vendor worksheet/package that request the pertinent contact information along with a document request for the filed out W-9, copy of business license, Worker comp and liability insurance certificates.

Also, would like to go with someone who is tcpa compliant, as I am licensed and want to be careful.Thanks,

I am not looking to get a real estate license for now, so that has seemed to limit my options as well.

I know that one of the first tasks is to obtain a licensing for rentals in the city.

I figured the term would be exclusively licensed but I may be mistaken. 

You'll also need to obtain a license ($25) unless you only list on Airbnb or Vrbo, because they will collect and remit this tax for you.