This gives us the right to require an application from the guest/roommate, and thus a criminal background check.Matt

During the term of the lease (the initial term of the lease or any extension term), the owner may only terminate the tenancy because of: (1) Serious or repeated violation of the lease; (2) Violation of Federal, State, or local law that imposes obligations on the tenant in connection with the occupancy or use of the unit and the premises; (3) Criminal activity or alcohol abuse (as provided in paragraph c); or (4) Other good cause (as provided in paragraph d).

But the $15 is cheap enough that I don't usually charge an applicant, I figure it's just part of the turnover cost.Best Deal - Complete TransUnion Credit, Eviction and Criminal Combo ......................$24.95 per applicant 1.

"Sorry, no matter what your sob story is, I deny for evictions, bad credit, not enough income, criminal background, no relatives for references, good landlord references, stable rental and employment history, etc.Once you get your criteria set in stone, and make it as tough as you can get away with, then pick your own tenants - you'll find managing becomes so much easier.  

Because you absolutely can screen them well.For instance, just to get on the waiting list for a place I'd like to move into, I had to pay an application fee and allow them to do a credit and criminal background check - just to get on the waiting list.  

If you haven't already consulted both a Criminal Defense attorney and a Landlord/Tenant attorney, I would highly recommend doing so.

They offered me 3 x, but in California, 2x is the max I can take.Here are the problems that I see off the top of my head:I have no way to check any criminal history or credit w/o a ss#.

Criminal cases are not stayed by the filing of a bankruptcy.

You mentioned credit scores for both but you did not mention evictions and criminal records.

Criminal background check, evictions, some income, and a "gut feel" interview was what I was thinking.