In lead abatement, the insurance costs is astronomical, and only goes up if there are employees.

There isn't a question of employee vs. contractor. its a 1099.

(a) A landlord is liable to a tenant or a governmental body according to this subchapter if:(1) after the tenant or government official or employee makes a request for information under Section 92.201, the landlord does not provide the information; and(2) the landlord does not give the information to the tenant or government official or employee before the eighth day after the date the tenant, official, or employee gives the landlord written notice that the tenant, official, or employee may exercise remedies under this subchapter if the landlord does not comply with the request by the tenant, official, or employee for the information within seven days.

They both screen their employees well so I can circumvent background checks and most interviews.

It’s up to you to record your judgment, go find any money he has, or where he may work as an employee.  

Try the HR department to see if they will refer your property to their employees moving in.

That person is an independent contractor and not an employee.

I have been hiring one fulltime "employee" (friend who takes cash).

You would not be an employee of the brokerage, you would be a 1099 contractor, small business owner. 

I bought an existing PM company with 100 doors and have grown it to 350 doors, two offices, six employees, and a few sales agents.