Of course the co-signer should be significantly stronger in ALL areas as compared to the applicant...usually this is a parent or relative, and they should be well established, with ownership of real estate for years; long and stable employment; no, or very distant, criminal and traffic court records; well funded SAVINGS/IRA's or stock market accounts.

Padsplit residents can cause problems with neighbors and other residents because many have substance abuse and/or criminal histories.

I've been able to curb a lot of this through large fines in my lease, but even having to pay $1,000 will not always dissuade my tenants from continuing that behavior. 3) IRRESPONSIBILITY OF THE TENANTIf you're renting to students forget about ever getting them to admit to anything.

It might be illegal in your state for them to provide criminal and eviction history?! 

Hope you sleep well Kai with the $1600 from which I gained nothing from.Shameful behavior.

Tenants that ask for these types of things are typically entitled and will take further advantage in the future if you do not curb this behavior.

Make corporate leaders criminally and civilly liable for the actions of their organization.

While the fees no never "liked," they do encourage the best behavior. 

A few of the sellers I've spoken with  and who previously offered the broker fee as a marketing tool are getting frustrated with this type of behavior and want to shift away from offering a co-op and instead make it a negotiable concession when genuine effort is made on the part of the buyer agent.  

They actually tell criminals the property is vacant.Alarms only work if the police show up quickly, otherwise the thieves are already gone.Appears you have properties in Class C/D areas, there are several other options that we use to minimize breakins & squatters.