I've personally tried to contact the former tenants and ask for the receipt of the utility bill, but their phone numbers have changed in the meanwhile and I've had no luck. 

But what about this option - you get on the phone with the individual and a realtor and let this person give the realtor access.

I also take care of my homes better than a PM would, screen tenants better, and have better relationships with those tenants. 

In our24 years of experience, managing almost 100 S8 leases currently, the average S8 tenant has a FICO under 580, numerous collections from utility & cell phone companies, doesn't want to pay a security deposit, much less an application fee and claims they don't know how to fill out their S8 paperwork despite being in the program for several years - hint: they want YOU to do it for them.Most, not all, are eligible for government assistance due to a funeral-march of bad choices.REALITY: you are trust trading one set of problems for another.You can succeed with S8, but you need to understand the challenges and plan accordingly.

Tenant strategy includes screening tenants, offering favorable lease renewals, and considering a buyout option.

I live on the beach in FL and do all my biz OOS, MY phone seldom rings. 

IMHO Have campaigns for phone text email follow upHave a phone system Have a text system Have an email system Have chat both external and internal Have webforms Have RVMHave conference roomsHave file storage Have a CRM attached and seamlessly churning data  I use calltext.com however I also own it. 

Do you require an application and screening before showing the property to save time with tenants that do not qualify?

Make sure you screen your PM and it is someone you can trust.

I pulled the phone Call and listened to it.