Always have a lease in place and ensure it covers majority items that may come up (rent amount, due date, when it's considered late, pet addendum, state specifics, etc).

This is from the lease in the pet section:"Tenant agrees to immediately pay for any damage, loss, or expense caused by their pet/s.

Smoker, pets, low income.Will definitely be using the form again.  

Bandit Signs, building relationships with probate lawyers, mailing lists, there are many options, but it is important to figure out what approach will work for you.When I talk about bandit signs, which I know are frowned upon, seems like they are @Joshua Dorkin's pet peeve, I am really referring to "We Buy Homes" signs, not "Buyers Call Me" signs.

I don’t believe the seller or listing agent is at fault as you can rent in the community (with restrictions)it is up to the buyer and buyer only to do the due diligence in these types of matters.Similar to ones that say pets allowed - doesn’t mean you can have a lion.

I prefer no pets.

It is not harmful to pets or children either.

Stated: Previous addresses on application match previous addresses on credit report, application filled out completely/correctly, specify # of instances and how long ago criminal activity needs to be, no bankruptcy in past 3 years, not turned into collections (you effectively have this), no evictions.Non published things to look at: smoker, pets, has bank account, has lived at previous addresses for over 1 year, roots in the community, not fussy, how long indicates plans to stay, how well their desired move in date aligns to your date, has sued or been sued.

But while they are there, they look around for anything else that may need to be done and also just over all check on the property and if tenant is obeying rules (like pets for example). 

Zillow sends an email with the person name and profile info (if they filled it out), which has name, number, income, pets, etc.