I own a rental property in Chicago that currently has a lease and the monthly rent covers the mortgage and HOA assessments exactly. 

You need to look at it like the business it is and maximize your profits.You mentioned at the end wanting to, “at least get the tenant to cover half your house payments.”

I rent out the spare bedrooms, which covers the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and repair reserve.

If you are relying on credit cards and anything goes wrong which is likely on a first deal, you will be stuck without reserves to cover expenses.

There is a ton of info here covering ever conceivable question on it.  

My little brother was stabbed 4 times with me trying to put his ear back together as it was split in half and the bottom half of his ear flopping down the side of neck macking sure hes ok, trying to help my buddys from being stabbed themselves with no success findind out when the ambulance got there that my brother was on the brink of death by blood loss and friend being slashed but not being able to feel it because of the adrenaline or see it because his clothes were covering his cut while shaking off the brass knuckle hits to the back of my head, i was shook.

The service is free for service animals/ emotional support animals to get them screened and a small fee for registering pets.

It has touch screen and Bluetooth which has been very useful, especially the touch screen!

I am currently working full-time in healthcare and am pursuing to cover all my families living expenses with our rental portfolio (lean FI) and that timeline would be pushed back if this scenario where to take place. 

@Jim K. finding a replacement renter would of course be subject to the landlord screening.