Rent

Landlords are entitled to collect compensation from a tenant for each day an eviction order is not enforced, and tenants should still pay rent. However, tenants who are asked to self-isolate or who can’t work may have difficulty affording their rent.

We encourage landlords and tenants to work together during this difficult time to establish fair arrangements to keep tenants in their homes. If your tenant is having challenges making rent, talk to them about deferring their rent or other payment arrangements.

Landlords may also wish to refer tenants to the City’s Homelessness Prevention Fund, the province's COVID-19 emergency assistance program, or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program. 

Entering a Unit and Physical Distancing

During this unusual time, patience and understanding from landlords and tenants is necessary to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Landlords are encouraged to request entry only in urgent situations and to follow Public Health guidelines for masking and maintaining physical distances.

Assistance for Landlords

If you are a landlord, you may wish to:

• inquire with your mortgage lender about mortgage payment deferrals
• investigate federal government programs
• See how your City and Utilities provider are working to ease your financial burden (more below)

• If you own a commercial property, learn more about Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program (OCECRA).

City Update

The City is working to ease the financial burden property owners are currently experiencing, as a result of COVID-19. Learn more about action the City is taking, and what steps you should follow if you’re enrolled in a pre-authorized payment plan and require a deferral on you May payment. Note: the deadline to apply for an April deadline has passed.

Utilities Update

Utilities Kingston is taking additional steps to help customers with their water and sewer bills. These include extending the Conservation Rate for water bills, and extending payment arrangements for customers who are experiencing hardship.

They are also assisting customers by:

• Temporarily suspending disconnecting customers for non-payment.
• Offering flexible payment terms and arrears payment agreements for water, sewer, gas and electricity bills, in order to provide customers with more time to pay outstanding balances on their account, if needed. 
• Supporting Ontario’s decision to bill consumers on time-of-use and tiered electricity pricing at a fixed price of 8.5 cents/kWh 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for a period of 28 days until Feb. 22, 2021.

If you are concerned about paying your bill, please call us to extend payment arrangements for your water and sewer bill. Contact our credit department by email credit@utilitieskingston.com or phone at 613-546-1181, ext. 2278, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.