But if they stiff you and leave, you are still on the hook in the end for the bill in the water department's eyes. 

I would not have hired an accountant outside of the country to do your taxes.Furthermore - a 1031 can add some complexity to a return.If you decide not to use the current accountant - you should at the very least ask an accountant to review your work product.Regardless if a written contract was in place or not - he did the work and you should not stiff him for the time that he spent unless you can point out that he is grossly incorrect with the return that he prepared.

The thing with private lenders is they usually come with some pretty stiff (like approaching hard money) terms. 

And landlords usually lose.If you search Inman news articles, you'll find a fair housing violation somewhere in the country just about every day. landlords that don't bone up on the laws are apt to run into stiff fines.

If they are selling 30/60/90 info and you are not an institution with a permissible use provision, both you and them potentially run afoul of some pretty stiff rules/laws.

You do not know if it complies with state laws etc. and if there ever is a dispute and it did not comply with the laws of the state not only could you have the lien wiped buy also face stiff penalties.

Matt,I totally agree with you on that, however, I am scared stiff to jump into a big multi-unit because I simply don't know what I don't know.

If you stiff your landlord you'll lose your security deposit (at least a months rent), you will need at least 2 months rent to put down on your new place and it could easily cost you a couple of grand to move.

Everyone has set backs in their life (i.e. divorce, loss of job, death in the family, etc), but that's no reason to stiff you on money they legally owe you.Small claims is one option, depending on the amount and whether you think you can collect on a judgment.Another option is collections. 

Even just posting "bandit signs" in the wrong place can get you some fairly stiff fines.Can you - and your partners!