If you are completing a background check for work, rental applications things of that nature would be soft as they are using your score, but not actually extending you credit....where my logic falls apart is if open a new account with Cable company (ie Comcast) I believe it is hard inquiry...I seem to remember this being on my report.  

Are they supplemental to a central system? 

Naturally, to circumvent the system, there are many landlords that are bypassing this process to save registration and other fees. 

I'm working to make my first transaction in the forthcoming weeks/months, so naturally a little nervous, but also enthused and excited!

@Louise Fuller you are correct, I do recall he supplemented the rent savings with personal savings.

(And serious law suits don’t happen nearly as often as you might think)When you purchase under your own name, you can take out both a landlord policy on the property (similar to a homeowners policy), and supplement it with a $1-2M umbrella policy that should protect you from most issues.

I work as a teacher and would like to continue to supplement my income to help support my family in the future.

@David Nacco - first make sure to account for the following expenses in your calculations:1) Mortgage2) Mortgage insurance (PMI or MIP) or FHA Risk base3) Property Taxes4) City Taxes5) HOA (Home Owner’s Association) Dues and Fees and Assessments6) Insurance a) Property Hazard Insurance (0.3-0.45%) b) Flood Insurance c) Earthquake Insurance d) Umbrella Insurance7) Vacancy Rate (usually 8% - the equivalent to one month a year, or 5-6% if multifamily and/or if experienced, if not use 8%)8) Utilities (you’ll have these if your tenant is not covering them and/or during vacancy) a) Water § Sewer § Garbage b) Electricity c) Natural Gas d) Propane9) General Maintenance (usually 5%) a) Upkeep § Landscaping b) Snow removal c) Repairs d) New Appliances e) Make ready10) Capital Expenditures (usually 5%, higher is the property is old and obsolete, less if fully rehabbed and all mechanicals and roof are new)11) Property Management (8%, even if you self manage, your time still has value and there might be a time when you'll want to be completely hands off or you'll not be able to do it, vacation, retirement, etc.), including...

In the FHA guidance issued in 2013 in regards to this issue it states a landlord can deny an emotional support animal if the accommodation “would fundamentally alter the nature of the housing provider's services.”

That's the nature of the game.