If you want to go further, you can use a service like Safely or AutoHost to run background checks.For payments, I’d recommend using a platform like Stripe or Square—they’re secure and easy to set up.

Maybe also consider if they are "good people" that work in the community and just want a safe place to raise their family. 

Keep your automobiles safe..

People do dumb stuff every day, but don't expect me to call bed-sheet-sky-diving "safe", because it ain't. 

Drop a comment or DM if interested and I will be happy to share details.Cheers, and lets be safe with these single digit days coming up!

Sounds like I can safely write them off only after I purchase the rental and start the renovations to ultimately rent it out.

The other method is to use a “safe harbor”, i.e., the specific procedures laid out by the SEC in Regulation D.  

This is the only way we've found that LPs can feel safe enough to share their true experiences - good, bad, and ugly. 

Better to be safe than sorry.Additionally, do you all generally use a smaller income criteria if the rent is inclusive of utilities?

Keep abreast of the latest fraud techniques and adjust your criteria accordingly.Educate Your Team: Ensure that everyone involved in the leasing process understands the signs of application fraud and knows how to react when they suspect fraudulent activity.Legal ConsiderationsWhile it's important to be vigilant against fraud, it's equally crucial to conduct all screenings within the bounds of the law.