Reddit reviews Fluke Networks IntelliTone Pro 200 Toner and Probe Kit (MT-8200-60-KIT)

You can test anytime, but if you don't have problems it probably isn't worth the expense since you're on a tight budget. It sounds like you do have occasional problems, but you have little visibility into what's going on without a proper managed switch. Getting someone to come in with a certifier is probably a bit too expensive, but it is certainly true that you won't really know for sure if the cable is the problem without certifying the lines. A certifier will test the wire map but also the electrical characteristics and whether they meet specifications for the cabling standard (Cat5e, Cat6, etc.) they are supposed to. If you intend to test with something that isn't a certifier, just be aware of the things it tests for and the things it doesn't. Cheaper testers are useful -- the Linkrunner and Linksprinter are great! -- but they are not the same as a certifier.

What is DEFINITELY a problem is that the horizontal runs just run straight into end user equipment. Structured cabling is not meant to be disturbed, and it WILL break over time. Those need to get terminated on to jacks, put into wall plates, and put into wall boxes. Frankly, it does not sound like you will have a lot of backing from management on this, but they will break down the road and it kind of sounds like your management will blame you for it.

I don't have a good recommendation for a toner that's < $100. This one is kind of the gold standard but it's about twice that much (Fluke Intellitone Pro 200): https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-IntelliTone-Toner-MT-8200-60-KIT/dp/B0749RXGB4

This is the toner/probe that I carry on the daily. Highly recommended, durable, easy to use, and can be used for rj-45/11, coax, and bare wire. Also checks cables for correct wiring.

That being said, they still cannot account for length, or for intermittent opens/shorts that are sometimes found when there are wiring issues. Though, for the last 4 years that I've used it, it's done everything that I've needed it to do.

if you have a rental made since 1999, you probably have cat5 running in the walls. check your phone jacks, if it's a beige/pink color with two pair (4 leads) it's standard phone line, if it's 8 untwisted leads, it's cat3, if it's 4 pairs, 8 leads twisted, it's network grade. Find where they terminate in the house.

protip: if you have a jack near your modem, you can bridge the two at the mpoe using telecom buttons or coupling them using a cat5/6 coupler and rj45 ends.

they should be labelled, if not, then you'll need a toner to tone out the cables.

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-IntelliTone-Toner-MT-8200-60-KIT/dp/B0749RXGB4

or

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15962

or

https://www.pimfg.com/product-detail/PITS-TP-1

https://www.pimfg.com/product-detail/PI-CP-C5E-2

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5384

or

https://www.pimfg.com/product-detail/KYE-6-RT-WHITE

https://www.pimfg.com/product-detail/P-KS-1-WHITE

or

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6725

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Punch-down-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver-VDV001-081/203275492 (I prefer these as I get more accurate results when punching down)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Electrician-s-Scissors-with-Stripping-Notches-21007/100038995 (superior to any cabling strippers in any kits)

these are best in the biz.
you do not need anything near this good. But if you wanna geek out....

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-IntelliTone-Toner-MT-8200-60-KIT/dp/B0749RXGB4/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1509865082&sr=8-1&keywords=fluke+digital+toner

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-26000900-Pro3000-Generator/dp/B000FTADX0/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1509865114&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=fluke+toner