If they are not, talk to your energy company about a "Landlord Agreement"- ours will switch the bill back into my name when the tenant takes service out of their names, and will notify (and likely bill) us if the tenant is not paying.Try to get as much information on the tenants as possible- names, contact info, applications, payment history, etc.  

I sold my previous home to the seller, so we have some history.

What is the history of the project?  

She should try to rebuild her life and credit history.

Ask for a three year history. 

Is there a history somewhere that shows what he's submitted, what they've requested, etc? 

I do not have a history in real estate in anything other than buying my primary residence (which was a foreclosure, that I least I like to think I got a good deal on). 

Also what to do with people who claim to have no rental history because they lived with family?

Tax Collector, under the tax bill, history.  

We verify income/employment first, then housing/rental history.