What a building superintendent does
Building superintendents look after the day-to-day operation of residential buildings. They handle minor repairs, keep common areas clean, manage garbage and recycling, check mechanical rooms and life safety equipment, respond to resident requests and emergencies, and show or prepare vacant units. Many live on site and serve as the first point of contact after hours. Supers also coordinate contractors and report to the property manager, so organization and communication are as important as practical skills.
A good super keeps residents satisfied and small problems small, while a poor one creates complaints, turnover and costly repairs. Finch screens superintendents for residential building experience, hands-on repair skills, communication with residents and an understanding of tenant privacy, including the notice rules for entering units under the Residential Tenancies Act. For couple supers or live-in roles, we discuss the arrangement openly with candidates. You meet a shortlist of suitable supers ready to take ownership.
Typical responsibilities
- Respond to resident requests, repairs and after-hours emergencies
- Carry out minor repairs to plumbing fixtures, doors, cabinets and appliances
- Keep lobbies, hallways, garbage rooms and grounds clean and safe
- Check boilers, pumps, fire safety equipment and mechanical rooms
- Prepare and show vacant units and handle move-ins and move-outs
- Coordinate contractors and report issues to the property manager
Qualifications and credentials
- Experience as a superintendent, assistant super or in residential building maintenance
- Practical skills in basic plumbing repairs, painting, drywall and appliance troubleshooting
- Understanding of tenant entry and notice requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act
- Health and safety awareness training and WHMIS for garbage room and cleaning chemicals
- Strong communication skills and a calm manner with residents
Who hires a building superintendent
- Residential apartment landlords
- Property management companies
- Condominium corporations
- Non-profit and co-operative housing providers
Where we recruit building superintendent candidates
We fill building superintendent roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Residential building experience and the size of buildings handled
- Hands-on repair skills, discussed through real examples
- Resident communication and complaint handling
- Availability for on-call duties and live-in arrangements
- References from property managers on trust and reliability
Interview questions to ask
- A resident calls at midnight about a leak coming through their ceiling. What do you do?
- How do you arrange entry to a unit for a non-emergency repair?
- Tell me about a difficult resident you dealt with and how you kept the relationship workable.