w@Kevin Siedlecki very correctly pointed out that you moving into a backyard shed would be a likely zoning violation (which is not criminal -but could lead to a fine if found out, then warned and warnings are ignored), but that would not dissuade me if shed living equaled saving money.  

How you avoid a tenant with hygiene issues when you can only see financial and criminal check? 

Mario Furmanczyk,seriously if you are determined to play with LA's rent control laws and renting in California in general,you need to find a very good real estate attorney who is an expert in rent control laws and California rental laws in general.California is one of the most difficult places to do business and landlords are treated like criminals waiting to be caught by our court system.You need serious protection with good lawyers who will help you stay in compliance and keep you out of financial troubles.Good luck to you.

AND you check for their credit score/criminal history/eviction history.This should be fine to screen tenants.

makes it illegal for an owner to reject a prospective tenant application based on a criminal record!

Clean criminal background3.) 

I've discussed this with a lawyer, I am able to evict based on my zero tolerance for criminal activity addendum, but an eviction with a physically aggressive person doesn't sound like a great idea.

There are outright criminals that will take advantage of you and destroy your property given a chance.Hoping people are good is bad management.To answer your question.

I graduated from AMU with my BA in Criminal Justice and I am currently looking at getting my real estate license here in MD.

my partner got the call last week and they said her ex-husband hit a kid with his car and they want money for the medical bills because they couldn't go to the cops because they were wanted criminals so they'll take the money or shoot.