If it's really being damaged by the property next door, they (likely) have a legal obligation to prevent damage to  your property, much the same way you can't change the grading and cause flooding on your neighbor's property. 

Your Landlord obligations remain the same as stated in the existing leases. 

Great financial advice as well.

There are lenders that will base their lending decisions specifically off the rents received, not off your entire financial situation.

My husband and I are looking for a partner (financier) who can help us structure a deal to buy our duplex from our landlord. 

Account Closed I'd say with those 2 books you are ready to move onto next steps which is: networking with investors in  your area, find an investory friendly agent, and start getting your financials into order. 

The kind of thing that doesn't make or break your project financials - ie perhaps the jurisdiction doesn't have a great chance of 'making' you do it, so you can take it on more from a 'bring upside value' to your rents, etc.... and you get some 'soft' experience working through jacking something, pouring 1x new footer for a corner post, etc.  

Learning all of that ahead of time will save you a bazillion headaches and potential financial strain later!

What specifically do you plan to do to force appreciation, and therefore possibly increase rents, and therefore property value and overall financial performance?

I like the financials of duplexes, but I'm open to the right single family opportunities.Looking forward to hearing from you all.