c) Get cosigner, credit check them, call student rental references, call student employment references, verify employment, drug test them, take a blood sample, make them pinkie swear not to screw me over, etc.Basically would just like to hear what other college town landlords to to minimize the risk of a bum tenant during the application period.

I didn't go through anything.I specifically explained to the leader of this group of young working-professional tenants (who is amazingly, a young realtor) that the county we live in only permits up to 4 unrelated people to live in a house, and that I was allowing 5 because it was ok with the county, since 2 of them are related by blood.

Leaving the air circulating with fans or, better yet, leaving the Air Conditioning on will help to keep pets cool and healthy.

Tenants and prospective tenants are really like sharks that smell one drop of blood in the water.

I walk my dog 3 miles a day, everyday, and so far in three years I've had $200-300 in vet bills, and in the last 6 months cleaned blood off my dog 4 times, in 7 different fights.

It should be relatively painless, you maintain your cash flow and there is no bad blood.

If my market would tolerate it, I would provide no appliances.You are spot on that tenants will not allow enough time for things to cool or they will stuff it full and block the air circulation.

I would say go for all except enclosures on shower, also if you are already doing HVAC, might as well install microwave over stove that vents OUT and not simply circulates around the rooms.

Plus it keeps your blood pressure down because you don't have to deal with that kind of person.  

Tons of noise and drama, her throwing his furniture into the building hallway while screaming at the top of her lungs, cops being called, and even his blood on her - she'd attacked him!