From my own experience, if I simply stick to these items and know nothing else, I manage an excellent batting average when it comes to tenant selection.First off, if ANY of the adults who will be on the lease have evictions or violent or drug related criminal convictions, I reject the entire group/family.

What if that felony that they have just been convicted of requires them to register as a sex offender?  

Landlords who don’t want tenants who are going to mug their neighbors or deal drugs will now be treated as racists and potentially sued.Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued new guidelines to landlords, warning that bans against renters with criminal convictions violate the Fair Housing Act because they disproportionately affect minorities.In effect, the Obama regime is now outlawing criminal background checks for apartment rentals, even though such screening is critical for the protection and security of tenants and property, and serves a legitimate business need.In a newly released 10-page missive, HUD warns landlords they can be held liable for discrimination if they deny housing over criminal records.

Does he have any convictions?

Isn't the Obama regime trying to make it illegal to not rent to convicted murderers, rapists, child molesters, and armed robbers?

Have any of you guys ever known anybody with a felony conviction who was able to get licensed, preferably in Ohio?

Also when looking into houses some of them are on an FBI watch list for future potential busts or convictions.

No jury would convict me. 

Some landlords have a strict no-criminal-record policy, and will refuse to consider anyone convicted of a crime. 

Tough for a person to qualify for Sec 8 with a criminal record, depends, but drug convictions are an automatic rejection, It is possible that an applicant may have some minor offense, but if your qualifying standard for everyone is no convictions, you are not forced to accept that applicant just because they receive Sec. 8.