The 650 usually is not a problem, I suspect because we are upfront about running credit and criminal checks and charge for applying so those with poor credit do not apply.

Requirements include things like the font size you use on the contract, 5 business day right to cancel, prohibition of untrue or misleading statements of value, owners right to rescind if you take unconscionable advantage, etc.It also sets out civil and criminal penalties for failing to follow the requirements.I actually recommend reading the code, it isn't terribly long: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?

I would recommend having applicants pay for a full tenant screening report, with credit checks, criminal history, eviction history, etc. before reaching out to employers and previous landlords, this will save you time.

There's really no extra risk by providing it to your tenant, and at least you know who your tenant is (and you've hopefully screened them and made sure they're not a criminal).Best of luck and enjoy your long trip this winter!

This will not be your last criminal tenant, if you stay in the business, so you might as well get educated now on the process.

@Jim KalishWe have bad the same experience with people thinking that since we are private owners vs. property management company that we will be more willing to overlook bad credit, prior eviction or criminal background.

Not sure what state you are in but if allowed do a credit check, criminal background check, verify income to be 4-5 times monthly rent ( my opinion ) and verify ID. 

This takes care of 80% of the noise.In addition to looking up court records online, you can also look up DMV for criminal.

I've been a member for 12 years, and I've been an investor for 12 years, an accountant for 24 years, 14 of them as a CPA, so I will combine my CPA expertise with my landlord experience with my experience from the IRS as a tax examiner then from working in the IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID). 

And we can confirm this by looking at criminal data in South Fresno.