If you, like most landlords require proof of income then this should be a very simple decision. 

The LP's put up the money for the deal, but don't sign on the loan or make day to day decisions. 

That's because I don't do the eviction, I don't have to make that decision.

Hoping that ends up being a solid decision.

I’m having such  hard time with this decision.

But how do I inform the tenant of this decision, while making a gentle and compelling argument?

so we are die-hard self-employed and needing to let go of the $10 decisions so we can make the '$10k' decisions as bp likes to say...So from my 'in the weeds' view: I need an office mgr, marketing mgr, rehab mgr and deal generator. 

It is not their decision, it is yours!

What do I need to know to make a safe, fair, and profitable decision???

While I have been interested in real estate for a while about six months ago I made a decision to go full tilt into the process.