Property Management companies. Good/ necessary or just evil?

[maveric]

It seems that where I live, if you want to rent a place, you have to go through a property management company. I would say that 99% of listed rentals are through these places. I realize that it makes it easier for the owners, renting the places, screening tenants and maintainence... but the criteria for tenants is brutal.

You need to have "perfect" credit, no evictions, no filed bankruptcies, must be at the same job for 2 years... and other stringent requirements.
How many prospective tenants meet this criteria?

I have a filed but canceled bankruptcy eight years ago on my credit report. I'm constantly employed and have been renting from the same landlord the past 7 years. I have no debt and have made my rent payments on time. But with that failed CH 13 showing up, they wont even talk to me. I even offered to pay then 6-12 months up front but with that blotch on my report...No way! Why not?
Its like they are all reading from the same card.

Has anyone here had any positive experiences with property management firms?