However, until landlords and property managers work to educate tenants proactively, they will continue to get their training from 1. the media 2. wining friends and 3. tenant-defense attorneys.

He became defensive and said he had to pay bills.

You won't learn anything if you are so defensive, regardless if the mode of information is less than you'd prefer.The fact that you are even asking if you should rent to any of these applicants shows that you don't know what you're doing. 

Cutting it with a masonry blade on a circular saw or a diamond turbo blade on a grinder...too complicated for the likes of me.Would not do Michael's patch compound solution here.

Sometimes the best offense is defense. 

@Jasraj Singh I think cash flow is more of a defensive strategy - appreciation is where you can build some real wealth.Homes naturally appreciate over time but, with that said, the amount of appreciation is very market & location based.

LA is around 1.25%, compounding at 2% every year which is the max increase allowed due to Prop 13, as @Rory Kinnear mentioned.Always clarify these numbers with your lender/escrow company, just to be safe.

However, don't compound this loss by delaying the restoration of the unit and getting new tenants in. 

If not, you should look for a lawyer that specializes in dog bite defense.  

So you could go with your emotional response and get defensive with me when I try to give you some constructive feedback.