Sounds like many of your concerns are a bit paranoid.
As far as watering the grass, wouldn’t you want to be in a place with green grass? Keep in mind that when a tenant enters a house with green grass and leaves with brown or no grass, that costs the property owner time and money. Most importantly time. Besides, the water portion of the bill is not the expensive part. The sewer and other charges make up at least 80- 90% percent of the bill.
The part about getting a credit check on a property owner/landlord is somewhat laughable. Go ahead and try. It’ll be funny if nothing else.
As far as a landlord passing by for visits, or entering without notice- I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Believe that the landlord doesn’t want to go to the house for nothing more than collecting rent. They don’t want to hear from tenants at all, unless there’s a problem.
All you need to do is pick a house that’s in a part of town you like and that has the features you like. You’ll be able to tell if the landlord is legit when you meet them.
As far as checking property tax payments and whether the house is listed for short sale, I’m sure there are ways to do that if it makes you feel more comfortable.
