I've added three (#6-8 below) VERY good points you made to my "how to be a good landlord" list:#1 Create and maintain a safe property for tenants (and guests).#2 Be a fantastic, responsive, and pro-active landlord (who keeps excellent records).#3 Conduct thorough and effective tenant screening.#4 Create a strong lease which clearly outlines the expectations and responsibilities for the tenant and the landlord.#5 Acquire plenty of insurance coverage and an additional umbrella liability coverage.#6 Choose a specific medium for communication (email) and stick with it (for evidence reasons).#7 Have an eviction plan in plan that you follow to the “T” (developed in conjunction with a local attorney specializing in landlord/tenant law).#8 Generally refrain from making exceptions to the written/signed lease.

I'm not trying to micro-manage peoples' lives, but I also want a list of dos and don'ts so that tenants can expect a safe, respectful and clean place to live.  

I would say talk with the tenant in a calm manner explaining you are the new owner/landlord and would like for him to clean up the backyard because you are trying to maintain a clean/safe environment for the neighborhood.

Especially in safe, clean areas with good school districts. 

Based on all of your responses, I think I'll go ahead and buy him this policy, just to be safe.

Since this deals more in the bookkeeping realm, am I safe to imagine that these rules are pretty black and white when it comes to accounting (I admittingly slacked off my 2 semesters of accounting, regretting it now). 

It's observing all the constraints (project type, budget, familiar building materials/techniques, site, codes, etc.) and organizing them into a design strategy.

However, I have found another technique that works for us.

I mean the front door isn't even safe.  

I guess nobody would be safe leaving their home they live in to go on vacation, if anybody can just break in and feel at home while waiting for the legal process to kick in.