The landlord really grew to like me (she said she was very disappointed when she found out I wanted the house after she had rented it to someone else the same day) and said she wanted me in the house more than anyone.

I guess that's why she gave the lead to me, she has a full time job and doesn't have time to bug him about it.

I'll be doing this.Also - my daughter just stepped on a rusted nail that is sticking out of the surface of the patio -- just to add to my aggravation.It was probably the wire mesh in the concrete, I cant believe they woud be so careless to leave it stickin out!

Is it just the mesh on the screen that needs to be replaced or the entire screen including the frame? 

Interview a few Realtors to find out who you mesh with. 

@Frank ChinThanks a lot for your help.So I ended up approving her, but even though I told her that I can only hold place for 2 weeks after approval earlier(which she was fine before) , she told me she will only accept it if I hold place until her lease is up which is 1.5 months, which I declined.I did got another applicant after that and they do seem promising.

I already filled most of them with spackle + mesh screen.

They told me I shouldn't want to pull a credit - that they've got a copy of the credit report in the car (major red flag #2).They begin to tell me she's out of work & his hours with the cab have been reduced (red flag #3) & their credit cards are maxed out (#4).The best was when they told me they had their car recently repossesed.

I had a similar problem, always late, but paid the late fee, after about the fourth time I asked her why, turns out she gets paid once a month on the 5th, by the time she deposits her check then pays me she was late.I changed her due date to the tenth and re wrote the lease and extended it for one more year.

Had I raised rent before, even $10 or $20 per month every 2-3 years, we would both be in a better position right now as my only alternative is to give notice, hurting her, or accept the too low rent, hurting me. She's