Potential Tenant With A Criminal Record and Addiction History

[Annette Radvansky]

I have an applicant with the above issues. He hasn't yet submitted a formal application (he wrote me a lengthy letter explaining his story), so I don't know his credit history, but I'm unsure whether to proceed even from this point. The thing that concerns me is the addiction, because that seems to have been the first thing that happened before the criminal record came about. In other words, if he stays clean (from pot), no problem. But if he starts smoking again, all bets are off. My gut says, "Stay away, don't do it." 

Am I being unfair? 

Another concern I have is that there is a single male next door to my rental property. I don't know anything about him, but if he happens to smoke pot or do drugs, then this could be a slippery slope for the potential tenant. They could meet, talk, and one thing could lead to another...

Thanks in advance for any perspective you can offer!