Appreciate your advice and any expertise in this.Thanks If they both pass credit/criminal/eviction/landlord/income checks, and their combined income is enough, and they otherwise meet your criteria (no smoking, pets, etc.), you can't deny them.I'd really try to get previous landlords to let you know if he's had any behavior issues. 

Our current tenant screening company can only search criminal records by SS#. 

Well, there is that, plus the credit and criminal background checks.  

Wow, sounds pretty criminal - pocketing the rent in 'his' name, instead of collecting it for owner/landlord - than just 'civil'.Agree the PM likely paid for court filings, but there should be a bill, not a pocketing of all the rent collected. 

They discriminate against those with a criminal history; they discriminate against those who don't pay their rent; they discriminate against those who trash their previous landlord's unit; etc.  

What is the best way to handle the criminal background/credit check fee? 

Is it illegal to offer discounts of say, like a $25.00 discount for people who have good credit, discount for having held the same job with the same employer for over a year, a discount for not having any criminal record, discount for being a non-smoker, having a positive non-family related rental history and maybe a commuters discount?

No criminal record and a credit score of just under $700. 

Landlords who don’t want tenants who are going to mug their neighbors or deal drugs will now be treated as racists and potentially sued.Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued new guidelines to landlords, warning that bans against renters with criminal convictions violate the Fair Housing Act because they disproportionately affect minorities.In effect, the Obama regime is now outlawing criminal background checks for apartment rentals, even though such screening is critical for the protection and security of tenants and property, and serves a legitimate business need.In a newly released 10-page missive, HUD warns landlords they can be held liable for discrimination if they deny housing over criminal records.

Landlord could *indemnify* the poster that was on the internet telling them to do something, and the poster could be liable for ALL those damages that resulted from their faulty advice.Not to mention many states do, in fact, criminalize the act of unauthorized practice of law.