Screening process when renting to college students

[Justin Park]

I've had a multi-family rental near Syracuse University that I've rented to grad and law students mostly without incident for the past 12 years. However my last batch of tenants struggled to pay on-time every other month , were dirty and irresponsible. And with all units turning over now for next academic year, I'm trying to be more careful about my admittedly lax screening process.

I've seen several threads on BP about this topic but a lot of conflicting ideas. I have always gotten a parental cosigner as a safety net since many students have no/bad credit, but what do others recommend?

a) Just get parental cosigner?

b) Get cosigner and credit check the cosigner?

c) Get cosigner, credit check them, call student rental references, call student employment references, verify employment, drug test them, take a blood sample, make them pinkie swear not to screw me over, etc.

Basically would just like to hear what other college town landlords to to minimize the risk of a bum tenant during the application period. Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom! Justin