It's probably not necessary if only one parent is the breadwinner, but better safe than sorry.You can use a standard rental application form for co-signers.Once you've collected rental applications from all applicants and their co-signers, run credit reports, criminal checks and eviction reports on them.

It's not like they don't know who and what, their issue is investigating with "cause" and what is suggested or even admitted to on the internet doesn't meet "just cause".But, when a complaint is filed, watch out, and what was said may then be applicable.I assure you, your law suit case will be followed by criminal action.Entrapment is another issue for regulators, they can and do pose "undercover" but they don't post on the internet, doesn't mean they aren't here.  

Has a criminal history loaded with unpaid fines for petit theft and then I guess moved up along the way.

Don't become the slumlord and let the property stay trashed, but don't make it perfect.Most importantly, find a good screening company that does credit, criminal, and background checks.

Moreover, most cities have LOTS of criminals.

The local screening service I use didn't come up with any criminal history, but did come up with one rental judgement from 2001 and one medical judgement from 2002 that has been paid.

I was told I can phone and get the information, but if I go in person and sweet talk, I can get the clerk to check local criminal for me, in case it doesn't come up with my credit check company.

I typically run criminal on both and credit on one.

They tried to claim it's a civil issue though when I asked them if my neighbor breaks into my house is that a civil issue too just because he's my neighbor, they quickly changed their tune...Not to mention I consulted with an attorney at the time who said it was a criminal trespass issue since it's not a boundary dispute, which I informed them of.

Not to mention having to schedule it with the tenant who may or may not have any time for me other than after 7 or 8 when they get off work.Though I do have some owners who don't care if we hire criminals to do their work because they themselves are slumlords hiding behind property managers.