One of the things she told me was that you should always check the applicant's driver's license and make sure the picture on the license was actually the applicant (because tenant applicants who are criminals occassionally pretend to be someone else to pass the screening).

Perhaps I should have made this clear from the start so that you or others would not take offense but understand that is might be more helpful for those wishing to understand the San Francisco Bay Area Market and wish to break into it. 

Instead I look for stability in employment, credit, no criminal background and so on.

I don't mean any offense to you @Miki M.

I've discussed this with a lawyer, I am able to evict based on my zero tolerance for criminal activity addendum, but an eviction with a physically aggressive person doesn't sound like a great idea.

Phone screening includes number of people, pets, income, when can they take possession, smokers, and criminal history.

Finally, make sure you look at the applicants eviction and criminal history.If you need any recommendations on screening software, please feel free to reach out to me directly!

I am hoping it works out, but it was honestly just offensive that they sent it.

If they do not score enough points (or just blatantly miss a stated criteria, like no prior evictions) in that initial subtotal I do not move forward.Use objective criteria, like how long they have held their job, % of rent to income, how long they have lived at past addresses, how long they intend to stay, stated criminal history, whether they provided bank accounts, etc to put a score to your hunches.You can also drag your feet on denying, I normally wait until I have an applicant who has accepted to deny the rest of the applicants. 

I use a separate website for performing a criminal and credit and eviction background check as well, which to me, has me covered, but curious how others handle it.