It seems like every story I hear where someone accepted prepaid rent for a year, the tenant turns out to be involved in drugs or criminal activity.

Criminal record? 

Will call again on MondayNo criminal background for either- except he has speeding SPD 76/60Eviction, foreclosure, bankruptcy- this is their story they use to have a house before moving into the apartment 3 years ago.

If that happens to occur, then that's just icing. 

But, you can require good credit and good references and no criminal and no bankruptcy and no eviction, etc.I just recently got my Section 8/HUD voucher. 

They gave you a check that bounced , take that check to the courthouse and file criminal charges .  

You are correct about Baltimore and other areas in that the landlord is responsible for screening the prospective tenant for criminal record, sex offender, etc...

Before you even get into a discussion about the legitimacy of their emotional support animal see if they pass the other basic screening requirements (income, evictions, criminal background, etc..)If they pass those than I would ask for documentation similar to what @Matthew Paul mentioned.

My husband got to keep it in the divorce (long story) and it was poetic justice when it flooded the year after he "won" it LOLOLOL!  

Cheryl Hi Cheryl,First of all, disturbing someone's quiet enjoyment is not a criminal offense.