Screen all applicants against the same criteria.

You will want them to hold open houses, screen tenants well, cut costs on repairs, do basic make readies in 3-5 days and big rehabs in 2-4 weeks.Often properties can stay vacant in the winter time in Ohio for months at a time. 

Hello,  New investor here, currently in the midst of rehabbing my first 2 flat, and even though I'm only half way done, I'm starting to think about refinancing options.  

So, we are planning on keeping the utilities in our name, and charging the tenants a flat monthly rate for utilities.

If they pass screening and you have no other choices make sure you only have them on a M2M lease.

You can get an FHA and house hack a 3 or 4 flat; your mortgage broker will come in hand here.

Simply continue accepting applications and screen to your specifications.

Your tenant in not identifying themselves as having or wanting a service dog when being screened was dishonest in their rental application.

She even said she would post an ad for me and help screen the tenants.

Be smart and protect yourself, screen your tenants thoroughly and provide a quality product and I doubt you will need an attorney anytime soon.