Anthony
This is one of those cases of what type of LP do you have. Urban areas tend to have generic LP which is simply the city glow brightening the sky and then there is local LP which is neighbours lights, streetlamps etc.
The first type in my experience is best cured with aperture. Yes refractors have better contrast which can help, but the fact remains you collect 4 times as much light with 8" against 4"
Unfortunately there is no simple cure for type 2 LP. I have resorted to erecting shadecloth screens on my fence to block the neighbours lights.
If your courtyard is the best area to observe but has limited views of the sky still give it a try. My backyard has huge areas I cannot see due to trees so I just pick a constellation I can see and explore it in detail.
Collimation is not really difficult, on a small scope with a little practice you should be able to do the job in 2mins each night when you set up. Are you just using the laser or do you have any other tools? Here is an excellent guide to collimating a small Newt using a cheshire.
http://www.astro-baby.com/collimatio...on%20guide.htm
I found with my 12" I would go through this procedure every 2 months or so (or whenever I had take the scope apart for cleaning or mods!) and just tweak it with the laser each night.
Not many people enjoy collimation BTW (although there some who do!!!
The trick is to have a routine and try to understand what you are trying to achieve. When I was learning I set goals, trying to get the scope collimated within a set time is an easy way. Start with 10 mins and work down to 2 mins.
Malcolm