Maybe there is some luck involved, but it's totally possible, this rookie did it. 

Is there a suggested plan for best landlord practices like increasing deposits, gathering next of kin, emergency contact info or or adding some language to the lease to make the inevitable easier on all involved and yet stay totally federal equal housing and local law compliant?

Condition can only be done by inspection, which involves a septic pro pumping out the tank (in order to look).  

The one thing with a short term is it involves more of your time.

@Pedro Marcano I would check out any local real estate investment clubs, get involved and meet other investors.

If you are having to do some serious repositioning, your projected returns should reflect the risk involved. 

Just get involved in BP meetups, start networking, start looking at deals.

Also, how do you guys ensure HVAC maintenance that does not involve getting a service plan?

After some light research, I see this may involve crews mounting a junction box to the house, running a conduit from this junction box down the street using a 6" deep slit trench, pulling fiber from the street to the junction box, and drilling a hole into each unit to create a jack.

When a tenant tells you to move forward with eviction, best to take their advice : )  As this is new to you and they may be getting a lawyer I would get your lawyers involved asap and if you don't have one get one.