Had a friend with the same problem.
He told the landlord that he was a professional gambler and played poker for a living.
Then offered to put a years rent in escrow because of the variable nature of his income.
That worked.

If you do get a rental, and intend to grow there.
CHANGE THE LOCKS!
Landlords can be nosy.

I just read about a Russian college kid in Blair county Ca. that had 8 seedlings in one pot and lots of tinfoil.
I read the arrest report.

It was obvious that the landlord let himself in, saw the plants and called the law about a "grow op".

What's more disturbing is he also went through the kids suitcases stored under the bed.
Told the cops what he found when they came to investigate the "grow".

The kid had constructed a flash powder firework with powdered magnesium and KNO3.

Heck, I did similar things at his age.
The local cops saw a fuse, freaked out, and called the feds.

The kid gave them written permission to search his place without a warrant, after the fact!
So, he's no terrorist.

Long story short?
1 million dollars bond, on Federal charges, including cultivation.
So, If you must grow in a rental, best change the locks or install deadbolts of your own.

Good luck,
Weezard

Disclaimer:
I do not give advice about illegal activities.
I just relate anecdotes, and rambling opinions.