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Scott McGillivray
15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"
November 20, 2017
A landlord is a jack-of-all-trades. He or she needs to be able to deal with tenant management, building maintenance, and emergency repairs of all kinds. In order to be effective a landlord has to be ready for anything. I learned a lot of these tips the hard way and I don’t want anyone else to be left in the lurch, so if you’re embarking on a new venture as a landlord, make sure you’re well stocked in the following items.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Scott McGillivray
15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"
November 20, 2017
A landlord is a jack-of-all-trades. He or she needs to be able to deal with tenant management, building maintenance, and emergency repairs of all kinds. In order to be effective a landlord has to be ready for anything. I learned a lot of these tips the hard way and I don’t want anyone else to be left in the lurch, so if you’re embarking on a new venture as a landlord, make sure you’re well stocked in the following items.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
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Tenant Applications
1/15Tenant Applications
1/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
This is probably the most important document in the landlord’s toolbox. It’s the instrument by which you’ll decide who you allow into the building, so you want to make sure it covers all your bases. The more of these you can get filled out the better, so make sure you’ve always got a handful ready to go.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Tenant Applications
PHOTO 1 of 15READ LESS -This is probably the most important document in the landlord’s toolbox. It’s the instrument by which you’ll decide who you allow into the building, so you want to make sure it covers all your bases. The more of these you can get filled out the better, so make sure you’ve always got a handful ready to go.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Leases
2/15Leases
2/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
A lease is what binds the tenant and landlord in a tenancy relationship (after the tenant has filled out an application). It’s a legal document that highlights all the rights and duties of both parties. Every landlord should have these ready for tenants to sign. Never allow someone to move in without one.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Leases
PHOTO 2 of 15READ LESS -A lease is what binds the tenant and landlord in a tenancy relationship (after the tenant has filled out an application). It’s a legal document that highlights all the rights and duties of both parties. Every landlord should have these ready for tenants to sign. Never allow someone to move in without one.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Apartment Fact Sheets
3/15Apartment Fact Sheets
3/15Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray
In order to properly communicate with tenants and limit the number of calls and emails you get, give every tenant a fact sheet about the unit and the building when they move in. Include information about the paint colours, appliances, heating and air conditioning, breaker panels, laundry, etc. Keep extras in your car so you’ve always got some handy.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Apartment Fact Sheets
PHOTO 3 of 15READ LESS -In order to properly communicate with tenants and limit the number of calls and emails you get, give every tenant a fact sheet about the unit and the building when they move in. Include information about the paint colours, appliances, heating and air conditioning, breaker panels, laundry, etc. Keep extras in your car so you’ve always got some handy.Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray
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Basic Tools
4/15Basic Tools
4/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Being able to solve problems and do quick fixes will go a long way in saving you money and keeping your tenants happy. So make sure you’ve got a small toolbox that contains some key items, including a multi-head screwdriver, spackle, sandpaper, utility knife, screws & anchors, adhesive, broom & dustpan, measuring tape and flashlight.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Basic Tools
PHOTO 4 of 15READ LESS -Being able to solve problems and do quick fixes will go a long way in saving you money and keeping your tenants happy. So make sure you’ve got a small toolbox that contains some key items, including a multi-head screwdriver, spackle, sandpaper, utility knife, screws & anchors, adhesive, broom & dustpan, measuring tape and flashlight.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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"Notice to Tenants" Forms
5/15"Notice to Tenants" Forms
5/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
As a landlord there will be times when you need to notify tenants of things happening in or around the building. It could be a notice of repair work being done, planned fire drills, or service people who need access to the unit. Make sure you’ve got forms handy so you can quickly fill them in and post them around the building. You can certainly make calls and send emails as well, but a ‘notice to tenants’ should be delivered to each unit and posted in a common area.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox""Notice to Tenants" Forms
PHOTO 5 of 15READ LESS -As a landlord there will be times when you need to notify tenants of things happening in or around the building. It could be a notice of repair work being done, planned fire drills, or service people who need access to the unit. Make sure you’ve got forms handy so you can quickly fill them in and post them around the building. You can certainly make calls and send emails as well, but a ‘notice to tenants’ should be delivered to each unit and posted in a common area.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Paint Supplies
6/15Paint Supplies
6/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
You never know when you’ll need to do some touch-ups, so you should always have a can of paint, rollers and brushes, drop cloths and tape on hand. I recommend painting all the rooms of all your rental units the same color when possible and keeping a can in your car.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Paint Supplies
PHOTO 6 of 15READ LESS -You never know when you’ll need to do some touch-ups, so you should always have a can of paint, rollers and brushes, drop cloths and tape on hand. I recommend painting all the rooms of all your rental units the same color when possible and keeping a can in your car.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Appliance and Wood Touch Up Paints
7/15Appliance and Wood Touch Up Paints
7/15Photo Credit: McGillivray Entertainment
Aside from wall paint, you’ll also want these specialty touch up paints. They can quickly make scuffed or marked up appliances, floors and furniture look much better – with virtually no effort. I highly recommend you keep these in your toolbox at all times.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Appliance and Wood Touch Up Paints
PHOTO 7 of 15READ LESS -Aside from wall paint, you’ll also want these specialty touch up paints. They can quickly make scuffed or marked up appliances, floors and furniture look much better – with virtually no effort. I highly recommend you keep these in your toolbox at all times.Photo Credit: McGillivray Entertainment
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List of Skilled Trades
8/15List of Skilled Trades
8/15Photo Credit: Skit Inc.
Keep a list of trusted trades and maintenance people so that you don’t have to go searching when you need someone. I recommend having a plumber, electrician, locksmith and appliance repair person at the ready. When you have a tenant complaining of issues in their apartment, time is of the essence. You don’t want to waste your time cold calling companies, comparing multiple quotes and checking references.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"List of Skilled Trades
PHOTO 8 of 15READ LESS -Keep a list of trusted trades and maintenance people so that you don’t have to go searching when you need someone. I recommend having a plumber, electrician, locksmith and appliance repair person at the ready. When you have a tenant complaining of issues in their apartment, time is of the essence. You don’t want to waste your time cold calling companies, comparing multiple quotes and checking references.Photo Credit: Skit Inc.
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Appliance Manuals
9/15Appliance Manuals
9/15Photo Credit: Skit Inc.
Appliance manuals can be worth their weight in gold for a landlord. The last thing you want to do is call in a repair person or replace an appliance if there’s actually a quick fix you can do yourself. If you own multiple units is always a good idea to get the same brand and model of each appliance for each unit.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Appliance Manuals
PHOTO 9 of 15READ LESS -Appliance manuals can be worth their weight in gold for a landlord. The last thing you want to do is call in a repair person or replace an appliance if there’s actually a quick fix you can do yourself. If you own multiple units is always a good idea to get the same brand and model of each appliance for each unit.Photo Credit: Skit Inc.
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Bolt Cutters
10/15Bolt Cutters
10/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
It’s not unheard of for tenants to put padlocks on things and then vacate the unit without removing them. Usually these are things kept outside like grills or even tool sheds. Keep a pair of bolt cutters handy so you can quickly remove any abandoned items.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Bolt Cutters
PHOTO 10 of 15READ LESS -It’s not unheard of for tenants to put padlocks on things and then vacate the unit without removing them. Usually these are things kept outside like grills or even tool sheds. Keep a pair of bolt cutters handy so you can quickly remove any abandoned items.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Extra Keys
11/15Extra Keys
11/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Always keep an extra set of keys close at hand because you never know when you might need emergency access to a unit. You should also have extras in case your tenant loses theirs. You can charge a fee for lost keys, but it will save you time if you don’t need to go out and get a new one cut.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Extra Keys
PHOTO 11 of 15READ LESS -Always keep an extra set of keys close at hand because you never know when you might need emergency access to a unit. You should also have extras in case your tenant loses theirs. You can charge a fee for lost keys, but it will save you time if you don’t need to go out and get a new one cut.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Contact Info on All Tenants
12/15Contact Info on All Tenants
12/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Always have your tenant’s contact information – including emergency contacts – nearby and current. You never know what might happen, and in an emergency situation you don’t want to have to go looking.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Contact Info on All Tenants
PHOTO 12 of 15READ LESS -Always have your tenant’s contact information – including emergency contacts – nearby and current. You never know what might happen, and in an emergency situation you don’t want to have to go looking.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Welcome Cards
13/15Welcome Cards
13/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
When anyone new moves in don’t just give them a business card, but rather a welcome card that includes your own information and business hours on it. A welcome card will help set a friendly tone and make the tenant feel welcome.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Welcome Cards
PHOTO 13 of 15READ LESS -When anyone new moves in don’t just give them a business card, but rather a welcome card that includes your own information and business hours on it. A welcome card will help set a friendly tone and make the tenant feel welcome.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Welcome Gifts
14/15Welcome Gifts
14/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
Like a welcome card, a welcome gift goes a long way in setting a positive tone for the landlord tenant relationship. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive – a bottle of wine or a small gift card for a home décor store will work nicely. Have a few on hand so you’re ready when a new tenant moves in.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Welcome Gifts
PHOTO 14 of 15READ LESS -Like a welcome card, a welcome gift goes a long way in setting a positive tone for the landlord tenant relationship. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive – a bottle of wine or a small gift card for a home décor store will work nicely. Have a few on hand so you’re ready when a new tenant moves in.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Cleaning Supplies
15/15Cleaning Supplies
15/15Photo Credit: Getty Images
The units you rent need to look good. You should always have some cleaning products on hand in case you need to do any kind of quick clean up – either to the unit itself or any other part of the property.Scott McGillivray15 Things Scott McGillivray Insists Every Landlord Should Have in Their "Toolbox"Cleaning Supplies
PHOTO 15 of 15READ LESS -The units you rent need to look good. You should always have some cleaning products on hand in case you need to do any kind of quick clean up – either to the unit itself or any other part of the property.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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