Do the complete credit, criminal checks, call past landlords, talk to current employers, ask for pay stubs and references.

Sandra,I assume that you mean the tenant is allowing another criminal to live there and that criminal is under house arrest either in lieu of prison or waiting for a prison bed to open up.

I have found that issuing clear screening guidelines up front with the application that includes requirements such as verified income three times the rent, acceptable credit, 2 years of favorable rental history, no criminal record, etc.

That would be more than shading the truth - that's fraud and in my opinion would be a career ending offense with crippling fines.

So a small deposit may seem offensive to some it isn't a sign of someone taking advantage of anyone. 

Criminal, credit and rent reference, no exceptions*** No one who isn't serious, is going to even ask a question.

Stockton city council recently passed a program to pay criminals not “to shoot guns”.

I use residentresearch.com Very good and report on evictions, criminal and credit.

All the criminals of the city are just going to all the sudden stop being scumbags and go get jobs. 

Would there be any need for a notice to vacate for "committing a criminal act on premises"?