Also, public housing steals the well-behaved low income tenants from private landlords, so we are left with criminals, etc. 

(No offense)

But you can do it just be carefulHey @Jermell Shavers,No offense taken.

Pay for the extra detailed one that does nationwide criminal records check(this doesn't necessarily get all of them) and evictions.Always exhaust every financially reasonable solution to avoid having to evict or sue somebody.Always raise the rent every year, even if only $25, unless you think it will take 2-3 months to retenant because of so much available inventory in your area.Actually I almost forgot the most important one.

Illegal is a term implying a criminal action.

For the lessee, much like a car lease, you get to test the house to see if you want it to be your "forever home", it's an easy path to home ownership without feeling like it would take years to save up for a down payment, you can avoid real estate agents (no offense, but wouldn't you avoid the car salesman too if we could?!)

There are also drug dealers and criminals in these areas. 

Unless of course there is some egregious gross negligence AND you have other assets of high value they can come after, they usually will not waste their time and you would be more likely involved in a criminal suit to which the civil suit would be the least of your worries.   

Same goes for criminal records and credit check.2.

It’s not in a bad criminal neighborhood, but it’s not on the best side of town either.