There's no point in running a credit/criminal on someone when you don't even have their ID card to prove they are the person on the application.By the way, at least 10% of all my applicants pay the fee (which is non-refundable) but then never submit the documentation.

They allow you to send your applicants a customized application, from where you can have them screened for their credit, criminal and eviction history.

Aside from the credit, criminal, and eviction reports, the basic info you should ask for would be employment history, rental history, 2-3 references, and 2 emergency contacts to keep on file.

Most landlords - smart ones - run both, plus a criminal check. 

@Noah Willard Have you actually ran the candidates credit, criminal, income, and eviction background to verify what they are claiming?

Like a sex offender or violent criminal?

If they keep asking, we just block them.In my market, if someone is even remotely qualified (income, no evictions, no criminal background) they usually get the apartment.

I tell people over the phone that I don't charge an application fee, but that I do prescreen (evictions, criminal background, income, number of occupants, smoking, pets) over the phone before I will show it. 

A person engaging in criminal activity wouldn't announce where they will be.   

Acceptable criteria is fairly straightforward when it comes to past evictions and criminal history, but a large number of students don’t have jobs or credit.