I used to be a landlord too.You must never have ran into what is known as a professional renter who knows all the tricks to say without paying a dime of rent.It can take up to 3 years to get rid of someone like that while you are paying all the bills.
You’re right, because I carefully vet the people to whom I rent. I wouldn’t rent to anyone I didn’t trust. I’d let my property sit empty first.