If they have a clean criminal history, a great rental history and stable employment then they hit all the key points for me to be able to approve them.

As for criminal record, I look at last 7 years.

just in case, run a criminal search for all of her names

The penalty for non-compliance:$37,500 Civil Fine per dayPOTENTIAL $37,500 Criminal Fine per dayPOTENTIAL Jail TimePOTENTIAL Civil Law Suit from tenants or neighborsOur last class was 50% landlords covering their butts & protecting their business, as well as complying with the law.

I can't remember if told her I had an eviction or a criminal history but she said that they could work with me because "everybody makes mistakes".

I have a property for rent as I write this, I use a "Tenant Phone Screening Sheet" for everyone that calls, It has 15 questions on it ranging form their income, to previous two address and how long at each, reason for leaving, credit & criminal history. income questions, etc..

On the forms for criteria it doesn't allow you to exclude crimes for sex offense permanently, only for a certain amount of years.

It is important to have all prospective tenants complete the same process (submit application and application fee, provide proof of income, consent to thorough credit/criminal screening, etc) If you have a gut doubt about an applicant, chances are their application/screening will highlight something concrete that you can deny their tenancy (bad credit, insufficient income, criminal record, etc.)

One, you cannot keep out sex offenders and criminals from buying a property (unless of course that is in their CC&R's too?)

In a worst case scenario, where your investors lose money, you can bet your life that their attorney will file both a civil and a criminal complaint against you with your state.