You get the property under contract to prevent someone else from buying it out from under you or bidding the price up.

Even if someone knows how to use a fireplace, the stacks need cleaning to prevent chimney fires.

If you do feel your rents are low, you can probably us a strategy of nuisance raises - $25-$50/mth per year increases to prevent the tenant from moving - it isn't much of a raise, but at least it's something PLUS you continue to get the appreciation. 

It's not a coincidence that mechanical issues/ clogged drains/ egregious wear and tear etc. tends to happen more often in units with bad tenants.

My assumption is they are just saying that as a way to show a “need” for replacement.Lastly, having required them to get a pre settlment inspection would not have prevented this.

I can only imagine the amount of permits and their costs would prevent you from doing this unless you have large cash reserves. 

So they tend to work with other good people.Screening is the primary way of protecting your investment because it's 100% easier to prevent a problem than to try to mitigate damage (figuratively or literally) after you have one.Obviously get a security deposit, though you're limited to one month's rent as I mentioned last night.That sound basic, but I can't tell you how many tenants want to move in and then give you the security deposit over time on a "payment plan".

Ways to prevent?

Prevent people from getting screwed. 

I tried talking to my inspector but unfortunately, his report had a lot of fine print preventing any liability on his behalf.