7 of the Worst Things Scott McGillivray Has Come Across in Canadian Homes

I’ve been in hundreds of homes across the country over the years and in that time I’ve seen some pretty scary things. Here are some of the worst.

Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada’s Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.

Published March 5, 2019, Updated March 1, 2020

Poorly renovated kitchen with a camo design

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The Camo Kitchen

Kitchens that are ugly are one thing – and kitchens that aren’t built to code are a whole other story. But kitchens that are both are just plain scary. I’ve seen a lot of bad kitchens in my life, but this one from Income Property still stands out as the absolute worst. Not functional. Not attractive. Not safe.

HGTV Canada

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The Smoke House

I could smell this house on Income Property before I even stepped inside. The cigarette smoke was totally embedded in the carpet and walls. It was beyond gross. Since you can’t actually smell this photo though your screen, let me leave you with this thought: that carpet used to be white.

An old shower with a garden hose for water

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The Garden Hose Shower

I like a good handheld shower as much as the next person, but even I have limits. There’s a part of me that admires the DIY ingenuity of this garden hose shower, but a bigger part of me says no. Just no. A shower/tub combo can be great – but if you’re going to do it, do it right. Please.

A rustic bedroom ensuite that is falling apart

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The Questionable Ensuite

I’m all for adding an ensuite, but this is not the way to do it. This bathroom on Income Property was literally built inside an existing bedroom. To be honest, I’m not even sure how they got the plumbing in there, but it’s safe to say it was not built to code. While this stuff is always kind of funny when you first see it, the reality is that it’s actually quite dangerous. If you’re going to build something – anything! – in your home, make sure it’s done right with the help of a professional.

A moldy basement with a bright blue floor

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The Mouldy Basement

I have to admit, walking into this basement on Income Property was an incredibly upsetting experience. Those dark marks on the wall are mould and there were people living in this space for a time. It’s a terrible health hazard and to date, it’s one of the worst cases of mould I’ve seen in a residential home. Homeowners need to take mould seriously. A basement like this one can put both your home and your health at risk.

Scott McGillivray pulls a chunk of horse hair from a home's floorboards

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Horse Hair Insulation

In the grand scheme of random things you can find in old houses, horse hair insulation isn’t really that big a deal. But let me tell you, if you’ve never seen it before and suddenly come across a big chunk under the floorboards it can be a little alarming.

HGTV Canada

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The Bathroom Foyer

If you want to have an income suite in your home, then it’s important to have a separate entryway. I’ve been saying this for years. Unfortunately, I may have neglected to say what that entryway should open up into. Well, definitely not a bathroom! I couldn’t believe it when I opened this door on Income Property and was faced with a toilet. To date, the worst entryway ever.