However, certain types of crime, such as burglary, assault, arson, sex offenses and drug dealing convictions will be more relevant than traffic offenses, and older convictions are typically less relevant than newer ones.Avoid the Small and SpentIt is illegal to refuse to rent to someone because of past drug use, though you can consider a history of drug manufacture and dealing.

I suspect drug activity in one of my apartments and would like to know if it is possible to run a drug / chemical test to expose the situation.

First and foremost, if I borrow from a "hard money lender" who has funds originated from a "Drug Cartel" or an "Organization Sponsored by ISIS" or any other shady resource, how would I know?

That way all the drug dealers, illegals, prostitutes and people of all kinds that don't pay Income Taxes, will end up paying.

I have taken up an interest in real estate investing after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki earlier this year (from what I read on the forums and heard on the BP podcasts so far, this is a popular starter drug among investors).

Unfortunately, in my market, you can't even get a rundown drug house for 100k.

Off the subject but you may want to go see the film The Infiltrator; shows how the drug business works.

However, i've found that a small directional sign to a house available for rent is infinitely more tolerable by nearby homeowners and any code enforcement, especially if it looks like it was hand written, simply because it DOESN'T say any of the commonly offensive Sales Pitches (We Buy Houses, Free Cell Phone, Medicaid Prescription Coverage, etc).  

I love the idea, however....Cheap weekly rentals in a drug ridden neighborhood will likely bring drugs and/or prostitution to your home.

I live in Massachusetts and if I search in areas like New Bedford and Fall River which are higher drug/crime areas I see properties that are cheap at 100k maybe 80k and need an additional 50k to fix up putting me at 130-150k total, which rent could typically be around $1100-1200 a month.