It checks credit, criminal and evictions for $26.00 and then gives you a pass, fail or conditional with larger deposit.

I really don't get it (unless you criminal history prohibits licensing). 

(She happened to be hacked by the dumbest criminal ever and was able to recover her funds, but she was among a small minority of people who recover.)Do not make the EM check out to the seller.

Marijuana beyond your lease saying no smoking, is a banned substance so there is evidence of criminal actions. 

Tread softly, sounds like he's not yet convicted of the most recent activity.This applicant would lose points in my screening due to having multiple criminal events and for the most recent being so recent.Additional occupants rather than new applicants are a different animal. 

Additionally without permits you will hit a wall if you try to sell some day.Do not leave it to a lazy contractor, apply for the permits as the home owner.Any contractor that advises not to apply for proper permits is unscrupulous and verging on criminal in nature.

Despite the rental history, I know my friend wouldn't be one that buy and hold investors would jump through hoops to rent to: he's tattooed up, has a criminal record,  and no proof of income (likely no evictions though!

It is probably cheaper than joining the apartment association and they would have the means to qualify a new tenant (credit, criminal, rental history, income) and ensure that the tenants are signing a lease that follows the laws in CA. 

We should never allow criminals to get off scott free.

Credit check revealed excellent credit scores, but also an incredibly high debt-income ratio; otherwise, no delinquencies or criminal background.