We screened the tenants over the phone, via their online application, by interviewing their bosses and current/former landlords over the phone, looking at their social media, background check etc. without coming in physical contact at all.

Have you done any kind of background check on them?

To be honest with you what you're saying technically makes sense.

Anyhow a long response but kind of a background on me. 

If the floor repairs are cosmetic, and there aren't gaping holes in the floor, I would think you are technically satisfying those requirements. 

Yes it is a poor personal reference.Approve or deny the applicant based on their background check and their ability to pay the rent.

While it is founded fear, particularly for those owning retail and apartments catering to service sector workers, technically no one has missed a rent payment yet that is due on the 1st, as most are.So like I said, I get where you are coming from and overwhelmingly agree that 60-90 days will be rough for most, I am curious how or why people are already late on performing loans.

Both parties agree on condition up front, and both agree on condition at end, you are less likely to get pushback if you withhold all or part of the deposit.In your situation, no deposit does not technically mean no liability for damages, but obviously harder to assess, particularly if you don't have any type of documentation of the condition before tenant moved in. 

@Jose Rivera-BodonWhenever someone 18 and over moves into your apartment; get a complete application, pay stubs and perform a full background check.

DougThanks for the reply I'll check it out, I have MLS access so I can download stats but not technically savvy enough to automate that process