I am a criminal defense attorney in Southern California so I needed to cross examine him in person.  

Third, we will run a full credit/criminal background on every adult to verify the information you've provided.

I think the Apartments.com one used to be Cozy and it seems like it has additional functionality (especially around maintenance requests)Second question: Anyone used the applications feature (credit score, background, eviction, criminal, etc) of either of those two sites?

My experience has been that it's worthwhile to do things "by the book" rather than risk stop work orders, civil penalties, and  even criminal charges.You might consider talking to local contractors and getting their input.Good luck!

Because my rental/credit/criminal history is really bad"

Account Closed, Is there a screening service you would recommend that includes public records (in addition to credit, criminal, etc) ?  

The tenant can take great care of the unit or destroy it, criminal activity or none, etc - so the background check and rental history shouldn't be skipped just because the gov't is cutting the check.

Instead, I only run credit/criminal/eviction checks after I choose a tenant.

Ah...professional tenants, aka criminals.

“Drug-related illegal activity” means the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, purchase, USE, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell distribute, or USE of a controlled substance (as defined in Section 102 or the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 8002) or possession of drug paraphernalia.2.Resident, any member of the resident’s household or guest or other person under the resident’s control shall not engage in any act intended to facilitate illegal activity, including drug-related illegal activity, on or near the said premises.3.Resident or members of the household will not permit the dwelling to be used for, or to facilitate illegal activity, including drug-related illegal activity, regardless of whether the individual engaging in such activity is a member of the household.4.Resident or members of the household will not engage in the manufacture, sale or distribution of illegal drugs at any locations, whether on or near the dwelling unit premises, or otherwise.5.Resident, any members of the resident’s household, or a guest or other person under the resident’s control shall not engage in acts of violence, or threats of violence, including but not limited to the unlawful discharge of firearms, prostitution, criminal street gang activity, intimidation, or any other breach of the housing agreement that the other wise jeopardizes the health safety or welfare of the landlord, his agents, or tenants.6.VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE PROVISIONS SHALL BE A MATERIAL VIOLATION OF THE HOUSING AGREEMENT AND GOOD CAUSE FOR TEMINATION OF TENANCY.