If this is a non- prohibited arrangement and thus allowed, how long does it take to set up the self-direct fund and do I use an attorney, my investment company Merrill Lynch or some other professional?

You could do that and put one under each unit window and plant greenery & perennial flowers.

Are there any potential pitfalls or specific things I should do in regards to a lease with an arrangement like this?

Like a brat, I remember tossing a package of hot dogs in the flower bed outside my front door. lolThe fridge/freezer was ancient but they did correctly repair it. 

The city has arrangements with the power and water companies to turn off utilities for illegal short term rental properties. 

Our cleaner arranged for a vetted friend to clean for her in her absence and then told us.

I will make arrangements to come by and go over the lease with you sometime next week.This new lease will provide you with important information regarding our company’s policies.

And last time I checked it’s 2018 no one actually smokes flower... they smoke concentrates.

I will arrange a meet to get payment to cover cost of screening and take the opportunity to do more in depth personal interview before continuing with screening. 9 times in 10 by the end of that initial interview I will know what the screening results will show.

Not so obvious is another advantage of using a phone number such as provided by Google Voice.When we go where cell service is questionable or not available, we simply set up the Google Voice to forward to who ever we have arranged to be our Proxy.