Had renters actually had to pay for their own consumption, they would really think twice about keeping the window open during freezing winters and adjusting their thermostat.Many have a sense that if the Landlord is paying for a service, it's ok to waste it.Another issue not really addressed in the article is that rent regulated apts include tenant protections even when the tenant had done something criminal.

They already gave you their social security number, birth date, income, kids' names, criminal background check authorization, etc... and they think a quick head-poke inside the front door is intrusive? 

Some of the things I want to know are:Can I refuse someone with a criminal record from living in my home?

At a minimum, you need to verify their identity and their criminal record.I generally combine their income to meet my standard of 3x the rent but if there are three or more unrelated people renting together than I require each individual to make a minimum 2x the rent.

. - Your rental history via any identifiable prior Landlords - Credit reports via a third-party Consumer Reporting Agency - Public records regarding criminal conviction history or registration as a sex offender - Personal references. - Verification of employment and/or income (or rental subsidy) amounts. - Public records regarding civil court records. - Any other information provided by the applicant (such as anticipated length of tenancy, tenancy commencement date, etc.). - Any offers or proposals you may choose to make to us (additional rent or deposit funds, extended lease term, guarantors or co-signers, etc.).

We are reaching out to the old original owner with the criminal history (involving ordering a hit on his partner which occurred unsuccessfully, an IRS agent and the mail man).

@Romeo Kaado how are you im currently planning on attending a real estate class for my liscence,but due to my criminal past im scared to lose my money because the real estate commission is not giving me a sraight answer.My history only consist of drugs distribution,no sex charges,no violence, no theft,no robberies,nore fraud.Will that disqualify me from getting my liscence because i cant really afford to lose 400$

From the info I've gathered, landlords can no longer have "blanket" policies on criminal history - no more saying any positive result is an automatic fail.

How do you screen without checking criminal history?

You are exposing yourself to potential liability (neighbors with kids) and damage to your business (that guy rents to sex offenders/drug criminals).