As long as you have a letter from a ISA certified arborist that states the tree is unsafe, you can remove the tree without a permit. 

@Lee Stephens make sure to account for the following expenses in your calculations:1) Mortgage2) Mortgage insurance (PMI or MIP) or FHA Risk base3) Property Taxes4) City Taxes5) HOA (Home Owner’s Association) Dues and Fees and Assessments6) Insurance  a) Property Hazard Insurance (0.3-0.45%)  b) Flood Insurance  c) Earthquake Insurance  d) Umbrella Insurance7) Vacancy Rate (usually 8% - the equivalent to one month a year, or 5-6% if multifamily and/or if experienced, if not use 8%)8) Utilities (you’ll have these if your tenant is not covering them and/or during vacancy)  a) Water § Sewer § Garbage  b) Electricity  c) Natural Gas  d) Propane9) General Maintenance (usually 5%)  a) Upkeep § Landscaping  b) Snow removal c) Repairs  d) New Appliances  e) Make ready10) Capital Expenditures (usually 5%, higher is the property is old and obsolete, less if fully rehabbed and all mechanicals and roof are new)11) Property Management (8%, even if you self manage, your time still has value and there might be a time when you'll want to be completely hands off or you'll not be able to do it, vacation, retirement, etc.), including...  

* Are you a Certified Property Manager?

Due to the nature of my job (I move around a lot), I HAVE to invest out of state.  

The top of the contract does have a statement signed by the Treasurer's Office similar to warranty deeds I've seen certifying they have examined all records and there are no liens, titles held by the state or other individuals, and that the taxes have been paid for the previous 5 years. 

Welcome, Little bit about me, I have been inspecting properties for 3 years, I am BPI Energy Auditor certified, Internachi Building inspector certified, Leased residential homes for 2 years with Renters Warehouse, held a real estate license for 3 years, did 3 years of residential HVAC work, hold a residential HVAC diploma and EPA certifications. 

Send him a certified letter with the bill for cleaning and the step repair to your pt address.

Its the nature of the game.  

You and your neighbors need to attend every meeting, send certified letters, etc. to demand that they perform.

Naturally the other tenants are very concerned about safety as am I.