So, depending on their ability to thumb their nose at you and not care about any of the above - they're not likely to give you any response other than the one you want to hear - "Oh, yes we're thrilled!"  

If they want to thumb their nose at a landlord who wants to protect his asset by verifying their story as well as he possibly can, good on them.  

If I decide to be hard nose, he can't pay anyway, and he owes me no favors.

@Greg S. having read many of your posts I  have seen you  are a hard nosed landlord that is how you choose to run your business, glad it works for you.  

Keep the carpet , take it to court as evidence  . let the judges nose make the call

Taken from the CDC "[Rabies] can also be transmitted when the saliva from a rabid animal comes in contact with a person's mouth, eyes, nose, or a fresh wound."

No skin off my nose either way.  

I can hire plumbers that get there quickly but they will charge through the nose.

I'm giving you free advice that a consultant would charge you through the nose for.So, am I wrong on any of the above?  

He starts asking about the crawlspace and how big it is, if there are outlets and lights down there etc... he reeked of marijuana and alcohol and also kept itching and wiping his nose.