The peace of mind knowing your lease will stand up in local courts is worth the few extra bucks to me.Also I have to second and third the book recommendations above.

I could always say I heard them and they need to knock it off.But, anyway, I think you have to walk a fine line with interfering with a tenant's right to live in peace on your property, and keeping an eye on things.  

It's peace of mind.  

Even if it's not all monetary gain - but peace of mind, knowing you have a renter you can count on now.  

This will not help you for tomorrow's hearing, but might give you some peace of mind.

You don't want to have them sign a 1-year lease, only to discover they don't pay the rent on time and you then have to start the eviction process.If the current owner didn't use the same qualifications that you would use, I would run a background check on them at your own expense - they are already there and if it comes back fine it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind.

Peace.

but my daughter doesnt care; she just wants peace and quiet when she comes home from work(dont we all!)

My tenants understand I have 3 rules: Pay the rent in full and on time, take care of the property, and live in peace in the neighborhood (I have SFHs).

@Jorge Ruiz, sorry I didn't see this sooner but just to review a doc is about $100, the cost of peace of mind.