If I get some more specifics, I can probably advise you a little better, but your best bet may be to go deep into Queens or Brooklyn (near a subway, but making a pretty long commute), south Bronx or Staten Island (which doesn't have a navigable subway to the city (but relatively close if you can take the staten island ferry, which is free).

I agree, small claim court is your best bet to recover your money.

But for myself, I feel it is irresponsible to bet on the further foaming of an already frothy market, and I conclude that only rental-income based models truly justify an investment. 

Your best bet would be to talk to a securities attorney.

If they're paying at the top of the market you can bet they are looking around at all the cheaper places they could move to as soon as their lease is up.

People who can slip through the cracks know very little about money management and investment risk, but just won the lottery, received a large inheritance, or signed a major-league sports contract.

I bet they typically move families in and out of town all the time...?

I bet you get some screaming deals in Alabama Rolanda. 

If your neighbors work for nurseries, have yappy or mean dogs, erect two fences around their property, are livid when PGE goes in and places Smart meters on their electrical box, have motion detector lights on their house and locked access on all parameter gates you can bet its a grow house.  

Your best bet is to go to a Lifestyles Unlimited meet-up and talk to their vendor contractors.