Although they haven't had a landlord in awhile, you can probably use your best judgement getting to know them and then also off of the background check and credit report.

Presuming you’ve met him you could make a judgement call… it’s not like he’s torn up the house when he owned it (I presume) so why would he tear it up leaving?  

Assuming you can get the judgement, then you need to figure out how to collect. 

When you don't do the math and don't have a business model you are making your investments based on opinions, poor judgement and with blindfolds.For my business model, I try to double my investment capital every 1 to 2 years, or can earn 50% to 100% on my money every 1 to 2 years.

A lot of Transactional Lenders will let you download & print property specific POF letters, however, most of your more educated realtors know they are bogus, so use your best judgement.

In this area, even if you got a judgement for a substantial amount you would still need to cover the cost and then wait for them to pay.I am sorry you are going through this, obviously you are doing this to bring income in, not to receive a huge repair bill.  

Was involved with direct retail selling, every day and had to evaluate credit reports daily and at times, make judgement calls about selling to people - - and then getting them approved after the fact....rarely made a bad call. )*Rent Collection:  Just make online payment a requirement?  

However, since they are often unoccupied with an occasional 1 or 2 people staying there for a night, I think they pretty much stay below the radar, especially if the tenants behave themselves (park in designated areas, keep their commuter car in decent running condition, keep the noise down, behave courteously to the neighbors, etc.).Remember (I really hate to pass judgement or perpetuate stereotypes) your typical crashpad tenant is going to be a professional aircrew member that has been screened by their company for certain standards of character, reliability, ethical behavior, and so on.

This means motivation for the departing guy to sign an addendum removing himself, because if the two remaining default in the future, he can and should still be pulled into the eviction judgement.

I read the court judgement.