Tenant applicant with criminal history in the past - advice please!

[Seth Quade]

Hi everyone,

I have a SFH rental in Decatur (Atlanta). The property is in I would say a C+/B- part of town. I have had in up for rent through my property manager for close to 2 months now (slow market). I finally got word of an approved application. On paper and recently the tenant looks strong. Income more than 3X rent, 690 credit history, positive report from previous landlord, from the area and moving because current landlord selling. He is 44, lives alone, has a landscaping business that is doing fairly well.

After researching further though on social media and then criminal records I found about 12 previous arrests and numerous convictions burglary, theft, criminal trafficking, molestation (don't think convicted), battery.  The dates for these convictions are over 10 years ago (2008, 2004, 2002, 1996).  The criminal record gives me serious misgivings.  Part of me wants to turn down the application due to the concerns around this criminal history, the other side of it is it is a tough market currently and slow season ahead and insisting on rejecting the application would likely create serious rifts with my property managers (whom I have generally been fine with otherwise) as they are pushing back on rejecting due to criminal history from years ago.  

What do you all think?  Am I overly concerned or is it not worth taking a chance?  If you think I should reject the application any guidance on the best way to do so (an not cause rift with PM) would be appreciated.

[Drew Sygit]

@Seth Quade how long does someone need to prove they've turned their life around before you would accept them?