Insurance, finger print, some times criminal background check and a sponsor whom you wish to pay him under his brokerage. 

Set a standard for tenants (such as minimum credit score, no past evictions, clean criminal record, etc) and do not sway from this standard.

Here's a statement you will likely find on every credit/criminal background check:You are hereby advised that all information in the report is confidential and may not be disclosed by you to any person other than Applicant, and then, only in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).Just because the Landlord hires someone as the agent doesn't change anything.

on the property because the owner is liable for restitution in a criminal case;4.

Some of the business dealings described go as far as criminal behavior and fraud.

First of all, I always do full credit and criminal background checks, and verify their rental history with previous landlords. 

The fact you don’t mention the strategy leads me to believe you already know it’s unethical at best and criminal at worst.

Make sure you screen your tenant thoroughly, screen for credit and criminal Also make sure that you include lawn care and maintenance.  

Due to the recent charges, however, NRIA has further placed the consultant on suspension pending the results of the criminal litigation and he has been removed from any activities involving the company.

I personally don't charge an application fee, because of personal reasons...I screen and then let the selected tenant complete the criminal/credit/background check through an independent party that collects the fee.