Like using 5/8 dry wall where you would use 1/2 normally that might help you as well.

It was just a coupling that needed tightening but the water needed to be soaked up and the cabinet thoroughly dried out.

This is not abnormal.It's CALLED being a landlord.Hire a management company if you do not want to deal with this directly.My clients are higher net worth and do not have time to manage themselves so put systems in place.A lawyer is just going to suck you dry in fees and take all your cash flow on a consistent basis.Only reserve an attorney when it gets really ugly and you have to use them.If you want to do this yourself then learn by going to the courts,doing your own filings,etc. to get down the process.At that point you have a job.If you do not want this headache then you could sell this place and invest in NNN properties.Get a paycheck without the headache.It's all up to you how you want to live your life and what you want to deal with.

Most of these have been closed or bricked in over the years and caused mold problems & dry rotting because the houses can't breathe anymore.

We used to own a home next to a detention pond (dry most of the year).

The longest power outage I had there was a little over a day in dry weather.

When the guarantee ended the rental income dried up, and that's when I took over the management and realize the place had been trashed and needed major make over.

I've had tenants use porches and balconies as additional storage, collection point for garbage bags, grilling area, and laundry drying( that they never seemed to bring in) No vehicles parked in the yard. 

The properties have been self sufficient since the ink dried.

Hey @Scott Peters -Dry rot is caused by a moisture/water problem ... we see it a lot around sinks and bathtubs/showers.