How do you screen your tenants? Do you use a screening service?

[Greg Mckeever]

Hello fellow investors, 

First time landlord here. My current tenants which were inherited when I bought the property are moving next month..

So now the real challenge of being a first time landlord is approaching, and my biggest concerns with screening are:

Evictions and Criminal Background - How do you check for this? The local courthouse? Is there a free way, or a reputable online screening service for this? What do most landlords do? I absolutely won't rent to anyone with evictions, fraudulent, or violent criminal backgrounds. 

Credit Report - This to me isn't quite as important as above, and good landlord and employment references, but would still like to know how you check and if you check. I would say a credit score of least 600 to qualify? 

Also, 

Could anyone recommend a good Tenant Application template for Ohio? Anything I should specifically have on the application?

Thanks,

Greg