I also hope we have a change in the White House and this requirement disappears immediately.It's interesting that this rule was created the rule to prevent companies from hiding criminal activity even though the vast majority of American companies will never engage in criminal activity.

That's the case in any segment but I think we tend to find it more offensive in Section 8 bc the government's paying.In any segment, I recommend checking social media and the like of all applicants. 

Those are listed similar to residential properties through the MLS and most list agents don't want to take a call from an over sea investor who wants a below list price (no offense). 

I would advise you to approve this applicant unless there is a strong, objective reason not to - such as eviction history, a recent criminal conviction, or their income (including all disability income) is less than whatever standard you have used for all of your past tenants.  

I also check the court records (civil, criminal & traffic) myself, just in case something was missed.  

I did self manage and self lease, so I screened all tenants looking for no evictions, no criminal background, good landlord references, long term tenancy, etc.  

We require any tenant 18 or older to qualify for whole rent on their own unless they are a legal dependent (spouse, college student, dependent parent, etc) of applicant, even then must pass criminal background check.

I have transacted at least 5000 properties as a flipper developer and lender and I have had one instance of this. were someone recorded a mortgage 5 minutes before my loan went on record so when I got my title policy I was in second instead of first made a claim to my title insurer and they rectified it quickly and went after the bad guy criminally. 

The trend in larger cities has been for less police and more leniency with criminals.

For example, I mention that every adult must pay a $30 application fee, pass my credit/criminal background, make a combined income of 3x the rent, and whether or not the property accepts pets.