I get the following:* Contracting License (and I look it up in the online database)* EPA RRP credentials (for pre-1978 construction) - and verify with lookup online* W9 IRS form (so that they can get 1099 in January, and they are told that will happen)* Liability insurance proof - with me and my company named as certificate holders or additional insured* Workmen's compensation insurance proof - with me and my company named as certificate holders or additional insured* An actual street address for them (not just a P.O. box like some will only give out)* A list of customer references that can be contacted (not that I expect that anybody in this list will be saying bad things)* I go to visit actual job sites, preferably at least one in progress and at least one that is completed - to check for workmanship and tidiness of the job site.I also check the state website for criminal search, to see if they have a record.

Potential tenants don't even get to see the place or receive an application if they don't pass our pre-screening conversations (where we talk about income, reasons for moving, job history, credit and criminal history, pets, etc.).The first person who passes the screening call, sees the place, and hands us the filled out application with the $25 gets the background check.

Most of the pro-formas I have seen from them don't even have a line for repairs and maintenance much less capital reserves, which is almost criminal in my mind.

Once I started posting in my advertisements that tenants must pass a criminal background screening, the quantity of applicants went down but the quality went up.

An NTN report she sent from another landlord found 3 crimes and also did the criminal search using her maiden name.Also, does anyone know why these companies offer county criminal searches when they offer nationwide searches for the same price?

I do agree that a national sales tax would tax criminals of all sorts, but the negative aspects of it far outweigh that benefit.

Policing of traffic and related functions (tow truck drivers, courtrooms for traffic offenses) will be greatly reduced.

:) I'm sorry if you take offense to that, but it's my thing!

Then shortly after that the post threatening to delete my post if I had run my score up with fluff, like I am a criminal or something.

Also, can you folks share how and where you can get a criminal background check and credit check inexpensively?