If somebody was trapped in a fire in one of your basement "bedrooms" without windows, you would be personally liable and in some cases besides fines could be criminally prosecuted and go to jail.

I use http://www.myrental.com/ for their nationwide criminal background and eviction checks as part of my screening process.

Cops handle criminal issues. 

This limits my ability to see if they are employed, any information on prior rental history, criminal history etc.I planned to ask the owner to get them to sign a month to month and tell them that my intention is not to put them out after each month (which it isn't) but in case things go bad I do not want to endure it for a year.

Sorry but I need to run your credit and criminal history, so if you don't exist in the system I will just pass on you as a tenant.

Any thought on which of these criminal organizations....erp ...big banks are the least worst to deal with?

First, get rid of slow and non payers and criminals.

He is shady and criminal.

@Julie Ann,Sounds like this renter did you very wrong and you will get justice in Small Claims court.

USD is still the preferred currency for drugs and criminals.