George Cottage, Property Management Consultant points to an approved Residential Rental Property Confirmation Checklist handed to local tenant Stefan following a successful inspection by the City of Thorold staff.  The  owner of the Mackan Street 4-plex in Thorold received the license thanks to the services provided by George Cottage.

The City of Thorold enacted a landlord licensing bylaw which was implemented on January 1, 2017.   George Cottage assists landlords with requirements stipulated in the Residential Rental Licensing By-Law.

This by-law dictates that all landlords who own rental property ranging from a single family home to a 4 unit building must apply to the City of Thorold and receive a license to operate. One exception is if you live in a home and rent out 2 bedrooms or less you are exempt from this by-law.

To comply you must;

1) File an application with the prescribed $ 500.00 fee. (Renewable every 2 years for $ 400.00)

2) Fill out a 6-page maintenance checklist for each unit.

3) Complete a 2-page maintenance plan.

4) Provide a floor plan of the building with measurements of each room, location of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers (mandatory now).

5) Provide a lot plan showing outside measurements and where garbage cans and recycling materials are stored.

6) Have a letter from a licensed electrician stating the electrical is up to code (can be as much as $250.00 per unit): (or) 

7) an inspection from ESA stating

your building meets code (hundreds of dollars plus

2 to 3-week wait).

8) Arrange an inspection by the City of Thorold.

Additional return visits may cost extra. The complete process can take 8 to 10 hours of a landlord’s time.

Boncore Offers a Landlords Licensing Service in Thorold, Providing the Following for Houses, Multi-units and Condos:

1) Meet with the landlord to have an application signed and situation discussed.

2) Notify the tenants of a time for our inspection.

3) We attend at the property with a certified electrician and fire alarm inspector.

4) We examine the entire property, fill in form work required, check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, change batteries or replace units if necessary.

5) Leave documentation required with tenants regarding smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers and indicate we will be returning with the City inspectors but will notify them in advance.

6) Meet with landlord prior to filing application.

7) File application.

8) Attend with City inspectors.

9) Final report to landlord.