Tampering with the meter is a criminal offense, including trespassing... needless to say, I will not be heeding the advice of my landlord.  

Offense intended.And as for you chart, yes, I never once disputed that. 

You want to make sure they will be able to pay rent on time and don't have a criminal history (especially because they are living in the same house as you)!

I would never consider renting to someone without a good reference from a previous landlord, income which is three times the rent, and passing a criminal background check.

Of course, we also need to complete background checks on each tenant, including criminal, credit, and eviction checks, and a solid lease agreement too.

Taking emotions out of the equation, the marketing of real estate (or contracts involving the sale of real estate) without a real estate license, is a criminal offense in many states (Arizona included).

Many states have enacted laws and regulations to thwart these types of transactions, and many have teeth in them to include both civil and criminal penalties now.

Originally posted by Account Closed:Not a bad analogy but what if someone sees the car like you said cleans off the cobwebs then tries to move it It does not start so you start taking apart the car removes parts scatters them around but does not have the knowledge or means or will to get the job done and leaves it in a worse situation then it was before The person squatting on the property is still a squatter until the 5 years or 10 years process has completed ,before that it is just an illegal act Thankfully, the scenario you describe is not a civil matter, but a criminal one.  

No criminal history.

I was told that they pulled the credit report but not the criminal and everything look fine except they paid late a couple of time but is current on his payment now.