Kingston has a Property Standards Bylaw and a Yards Bylaw which define the minimum standards for building and property maintenance. Your landlord is required by law to meet these standards.
Identifying and addressing property standards can be challenging, but it is important to raise these issues with your landlord or property manager. If your landlord fails to address the violation within a reasonable amount of time you can report the violation to the City of Kingston. Ontario's Residential Tenancy Act does not specify how long you should wait to report the violation but you should give them a reasonable amount of time to repair the issue or take the appropriate steps before reporting.
These Bylaws cover heating, electrical, plumbing, pest prevention, graffiti, and yards.
Many rental homes in Kingston are in violation of these Bylaws, creating health and safety risks and making your property less energy-efficient (leading to more expensive utilities).
Some common violations include:
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Drafts from windows
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No locks on windows
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Exterior locks that do not work
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Leaky faucets
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Broken outlets
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Pests like mice & rats