Worst case, you should get a set-off of the amount of unpaid rent against any damages the judge finds you owe (which don't sound significant).

No exceptions.What are you going to do if you accept the deposit as the last months rent and then there are damages exceeding what is left of the deposit?

If it were me I would get enough down to cover their default and any damages, establish an interest rate (double your rate if you have a mortgage) so you have a cash flow coming in and keep the loan length at about 5-7 years.Again I don't know a whole lot about it but I hope this helps a little bit.

This will reduce the brain damage of trying to do separate loans on them.

If landlord is asking for lost rent and damages etc. judge usually throws that out and just evicts.

Isolating them from predatorial law suits is just being business smart, and the LLC entity performs this act, limiting damage to assets held by that LLC.

If I have 1 or 2 busted windows, I will usually go to the local ReStore and pick up a couple windows for $10 to $30 a window. 

In extreme cases this can cause damage due to buckling. 

I have a fire damaged property lead that is owned by a few long term landlords.

Also a lot of US states are pro tenants, that makes eviction more difficult; besides the damage deposits in C or D areas may not be enough to cover the cost of tenants trashing your place.