COVID-19 AND YOUR LEASE
To date, there is neither a rent freeze/forgiveness program in place in Ontario, nor a nation-wide program for non-payment of rent. If you do not pay your rent, you and your housemates are still at risk of legal action. Please refer to this advice from Steps to Justice, a partnership between Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and the Federal Department of Justice. Scroll down their page for FAQs.
Most student leases in Kingston are Joint and Several. If a housemate fails to pay their rent the landlord may ask the other tenants to pay the missing amount. It is therefore imperative to keep in touch with all your co-tenants.
Are you eligible for government assistance? COVID-19 FUNDING FOR STUDENTS
Do you want to earn by volunteering? I WANT TO HELP
Joan Jones, the Student Community Relations Coordinator, is available to provide confidential guidance on evaluating off-campus housing, tenant rights and responsibilities, and resources for moving in/out.
