Set some tenant screening standards and follow them. 

This works particularly well when selecting older tenants when screening.

It might take a min phone call with them from your attorney or you explaining what you have set up.

They should screen better. 

You can clean a property, set up a wireless alarm system, turn the power or the gas on and off, touch up paint throughout a fixed house, go through the MLS, answer the phone, follow a checklist, fetch coffee and donuts, plug numbers into a calculator or spreadsheet, file paperwork, and drive.

I finally purchased my first investment property and am in the tenant screening phase for one of the two units.  

Something for you to consider.RETURN OF POSSESSION & REFUNDS[Our name and address][Our phone number]Tenant: ____________________________________________________________Rental Unit Address: _________________________________________________The tenant returned possession of the premises (as stated above) to the landlord on the date of ____________________ and attests that they have returned ALL sets of keys to the landlord.The tenant attests they have removed from the property all personal belongings.

Does your screening process and or lease say no felons?

I also collect all my rent through there, do my tenant screening and it's all free. 

It's a good idea to get the phone, text, email, mailing address of each tenant from the start.