I pay close attention to the criminal/ eviction records.

For example, in one of my units I have two tenants with criminal records straight out of the halfway house who are without a doubt my best tenants. 

A criminal is not a person who merely wants a better education for their children. 

Laws get tweaked every year and your local divorce/injury/criminal/bankruptcy attorney is not going to be on top of it.

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

This is a civil matter not a criminal matter.

It's a pain and I do not like their service but I haven't found another provider that does eviction, credit, and criminal.

Did the report include a criminal report? 

For instance: absolutely no bankruptcies, evictions, criminal records, etc., will be approved. 

The final kicker was, as they were leaving, the original guy mentioned that he really liked the fireplace mantel because his 70 inch TV would fit up there very nicely....no shower, no central air but a big screen TV.I thought I had discouraged them enough when I told them that each would have to pay the screening fee to check credit/criminal history but I'll be darned if they didn't call back four days later saying they had the applications (I had to provide them several) all filled out.