The standard is what your intent is and how you demonstrate it.For that matter a "2nd home" can qualify for 1031 treatment if it is used that way. 

They want equal treatment.

I think what's happening here is you're mixing up tax treatments for several things. 

Treat everyone fairly, ethically, and honestly. 3.

I think you are going to have to face the fact that very few people of either party really want this.And real estate gets the most favored tax treatment of all right now, so your complaints on that score ring a little hollow. 

Our associations have a code of ethics we commit to when joining. 

I thought that apartments might receive similar treatment, but this of course might lead to some alarm bells at the IRS.

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

Wendy Patton's book on Lease Options and Subject To deals is also a great resource on how to ethically execute on these creative financing strategies.. 

A state bar can revoke or suspend lawyer licenses for that state, and generally take ethics (including billing) very seriously.