If your looking for attention, or sympathy, you won't get it here.

I accept that as the reality but then look to ways to devise regulations that are fair to the landlord, who as it's said doesn't get a lot of sympathy.

You probably wouldn't get much sympathy. 

I find it hard to believe that CT would require the seller to have an attorney, nor to have any sympathy for a seller who chose not to use one, if there is a dispute. 

In the same way, you shouldn't base your decision on an unverified criminal record that is more than 7 years old.Professional Tenants use their children to gain sympathy approvals from unsuspecting landlords. 

I would draw up your proposal with all your info - express your sympathy for their loss and that you understand their situation and would like to help.

I would have more sympathy for the guy who sat there in the dark because he couldn't afford rent and utilities, than to someone who just decides to steal what they won't pay for (starving people in third-world countries without money stealing food excepted). 

Those guys are no better than Bernie Madoff - they're selling the same false promises and telling themselves it's OK.Category A - I love working with them.Category B - I feel sympathy for them, but they're really not doing the world any good.Category C - I hope they get syphilis.

How many "Gurus" actually care that much to take a few moments and write a handwritten note of sympathy.

You can show sympathy for their situation and even offer suggestions to help, but still enforce consequences of their actions.