Housing

Finding Housing in Kingston

Need a place to stay while you are house-hunting? Check the short-term accommodations housing link below. 

For extensive information on Kingston's housing market and valuable time-saving tips to help you get started looking for your new home, either renting or buying, click below. 

New to Canada? Planning to rent? Learn about your options, rights and obligations in The Newcomer’s Guide to Rental Housing. New to Canada and planning to buy a home? Find step-by-step information on this process in the guide Buying Your First Home in Canada

During the summer months, Kingston is a tourist destination and hotels and B&Bs are busy. Book early for best selection!

Campus residence accommodation (summer only)

During the summer, Queen's residences offer accommodation on the main campus. For reservations: contact Queen's Event Services (613) 533-2223, e-mail event.services@queensu.ca, or you can book your accommodation online.Online booking is only available for Premium Rooms.

For current rates in a standard room (Victoria Hall) and in a premium room (Leggett Hall) for a two bedroom unit check the university's Summer Accommodations page.  Your room includes bed linens, towels, soap, desk, free Internet (bring your own Ethernet cord) and housekeeping service. Rates are subject to the current rate of tax and a 3% Destination Marketing Fee. 

St. Lawrence College also offers summer residence accommodations, a 10 minute car ride from Queen's campus, contact information is located on the college web site.

An Clachan apartments

A series of apartment buildings with one, two and three bedroom apartments within a 30 min. walk from main campus and easy transit ride (11 minutes). An Clachan is a university-owned and managed complex providing housing for students, staff and faculty in a safe neighbourhood close to shopping, libraries and fitness facilities.

Bed and breakfast establishments/short term private rentals

Rates for B&B accommodation in Kingston vary, with summer being most expensive. An extensive listing of Bed and Breakfast establishments in the Kingston area is available on the Bed and Breakfast Canada site. The Airbnb site offers rooms in private homes at reasonable rates; you contact the host directly to arrange a stay. Trip Advisor also offers vacation rentals which may be suitable for short term stays.

Motels and hotels

Canadian University Hotel Rate Program

Several local hotels participate in this program with reduced rates for those associated with Queen's University. Find rate information and how to book on the CAUBO website.Some of the CAUBO rates are only available for university-related business travel. Check the CAUBO listing.

Accommodation with Kitchenettes, Suites, and Furnished Apartments

Rates for efficiency units can vary greatly with the season, summer being peak. The establishments listed below offer rooms with kitchenettes/suites some are within walking distance of the main Queen's campus:

Other Accommodations and Information on Housing:

Sabbatical Homes helps academic communities worldwide to find or list houses or apartments for rent, exchange or house-sit when on sabbatical leave, research trip, exchange program, relocation or vacations. To search, select the type of arrangement you're looking for (ie. rental, homes to sit, home exchange) and enter "Kingston" or "Queen's" as your keyword.

Kijiji -free local on-line classifieds. Many reputable landlords advertise on this site, but be sure to read the caution before using the site.

Queen's Accommodation Listing Service offers a very broad selection of available accommodation of all types, including short-term. Please note that this site is mostly geared to student accommodations.

Tripadvisor.com offers hotel and rate information and traveller reviews.

Kingston's rental market is tight, with a very low vacancy rate. Available apartments are rented very quickly. The majority of Kingston landlords require one-year leases. Tips for a successful house hunt are available to new faculty member by contacting the Faculty Recruitment and Support Program. 

Expect to spend at least one full day in Kingston viewing units. It is best not to plan this for a weekend, as most of the major property management companies are closed. To make the most of your time, book viewings with the landlord prior to your arrival. If you require a place to stay during your visit, check our short-term accommodation suggestions.

Queen's Student-Community Relations provides tips for house hunters. The tips are geared to students, but many are applicable to everyone.

Where to look for listings

Some of the property management companies in Kingston include:

Sabbatical Homes helps academic communities worldwide to find or list houses or apartments for rent, exchange or to house-sit. To search, enter "Kingston" and "Queen's" as your keyword.

Kijiji -free local on-line classifieds - click on "housing". Be sure to read the caution before using the site.

Queen's Accommodation Listing Service registers houses, apartments, and shared accommodation rentals. The site does not allow to filter for rentals specifically geared to faculty. You will have to look for clues in the description of the property - some landlords express their intention to rent to faculty.

If you want to learn more about your rights as a tenant, check the Community Legal Education Ontario publications on topics like when rentals become available, moving in, moving out, and the law affecting your relationship with your landlord. 

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers detailed information on resale homes and new construction. For profiles of individual neighbourhoods, visit City Hall.

Step-by-step instructions for buying a home in Canada can be found on the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's website.

If you would like a referral to a real estate agent, please contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support office.

Browse housing listings in the Kingston area

Realtor.ca offers a comprehensive list of available houses.

Point2 Homes Kingston is another option offering Kingston listings.

Mortgages for international faculty

If you are moving to Canada from abroad you will find that lenders require a Canadian credit rating before they will grant a mortgage. If this situation applies to you, please contact the Faculty Recruitment and Support Program for a referral to a mortgage lender who has special knowledge of this issue.