Do a quick walkthrough, are the doors latching correctly, is the basement wet, sinks not draining.

Also worried I’ll throw money down the drain when the time comes on what to decide to do when their are better alternatives.

@Bob RomanoMake sure the washer has a drain pan!

It's also better to drain the condensate outside using a piece of tubing because otherwise you have to keep draining the unit.

Such has leaky shower handles, sink drains that don't drain and a downspout that was missing and causing a mess.Here are some of the complaints that in my opinion are in the gray area of what is required. 

There were two interior violations that have already been fixed-no smoke detectors in vacant unit (because it was being painted), and no handrail on stairs (apparently there had never been one there).The neighbor feels that the downspout in question (with the code violation for needing repair) drains into an underground pipe that is broken (apparently he invited someone onto the property at some point and they used dye packets and his own hose to confirm his suspicion-I tried to called the sewer folks but they didn't feel this is something they would have done), and the water drains through his retaining wall, which he feels is damaging it. 

But, along with that comes the possibility they will buy some junker, or get some junker for free on Craigslist, that will break down and drain water all over your beautiful hardwood floors......

If I am certain that it isn't my problem (ie collapsed drain line or corroded and scaled cast iron) then I pay for the first unclog on a drain and the tenant pays for subsequent unclogs of that same drain.

If it works and drains properly, then you know there is no problems with drain pipes and garbage pipes...etc. 

It would really suck if the tenant didn't want to pay a plumber $25 to come over and replace a worn rubber washer on the kitchen sink drain pipe and that slow leak went down the walls into the basement under the rug out of sight and then your next tenant has an asthma attack because there is 100 sq ft of mold behind the walls.