I want a full report including eviction history, credit history, and criminal history.

Check out their Facebook account - look up the docket directory in their county and name for criminal activity .

If the applicants are straw applicants or non-existent then the remaining tenants might not meet the income requirement and/or you could end up with a situation where a straw applicant has enabled criminal elements to occupy the unit.Sally, Joe and Eric apply for your unit, they pass and you rent to them.Later you find out:Sally and Joe moved in with Bob.Eric isn't a real person, he is a made up person, a stole identity basically, provided to you to pass the application screening.andYou find out that Bob is setting up a meth lab in the basement of your unit.I don't think that's ok as long as the checks clear.

This investor mentioned that unencumbered properties held personally by the investor(s) is a scenario that would-be criminals specifically seek out, and that umbrella policies should not be viewed as sufficient protection.  

But you can help yourself by doing some intense screening of your potential tenants like using a website like Zumper that screens credit, criminal, and eviction history for you and they charge the tenants the fee, not you.

We will screen our tenants to avoid anyone with a criminal history, we will verify employment and will ask for previous landlord contact info.100% of the rent after expenses will go directly into an account to build up an emergency fund and save for our next purchase.The payment on this house is so low that we can afford to pay it with the income from our salaried jobs. 

I have been keeping track of the data and to date, I have had over 60 leads, 30 pre-screen phone calls, 12 showings and 0 application submissions.My application qualifications are the following:Income >= 3x monthly rentCredit score >= 600 (will consider less than 600 if no credit problems in last year)No prior evictionsNo violent criminal historyNo smokersFor all but 2 of the showings, the people have given very positive feedback in terms of the amount of space, the cleanliness and everyone loved the bathroom updates. 

The less comprehensive option ($25 - credit based resident score and National Criminal Background Report)If unsuccessful, what are your 'fair housing' tips/tricks to soften the blow of letting someone know they weren't chosen and you won't refund the $40/$25.Many thanks as always, 

I would also consider their driving record and any other criminal activity.

(in this area prothonotary handles civil issues, clerk of courts is for criminal).