Is your Kingston housing in violation of any bylaws?
Automatically generate a personalized report summarizing your home’s issues. This assessment tool guides you through your house room by room, asking a series of questions to help you quickly and easily spot issues.
Let’s make your living conditions more enjoyable, safe, and energy-efficient.
Complete your assessment in less than 15 minutes
Cross-referenced with Kingston’s mandatory Property Standards
You can send the result directly to your landlord or reference it when submitting maintenance requests with confidence
Why this tool?
13%
Buildings account for 13% of Canada's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
$90M
The energy we consume to heat, cool and power our homes represents 14% of Kingston’s greenhouse gas emissions and cost nearly $90 million annually.
-30%
Kingston was the first Ontario municipality to declare a climate emergency, setting a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 30% by the year 2030
Committing to change
Greenhouse gases such as CO2, which are created from home heating systems, are contributing to the current climate crisis. You can help minimize your climate impact by evaluating your house to eliminate substandard conditions.
How we help
Check out this rental property’s kitchen. At first glance, it may appear to be in good condition, but multiple bylaw violations can be found upon closer inspection.
All plumbing, including every drain, water pipe, water closet and other plumbing fixtures in a Dwelling and every connecting line to the Sewerage System shall be Maintained in good working order and free from leaks or defects, and all water pipes and appurtenances thereto shall be protected from freezing.
The faucet drips.
Where storm windows and doors are installed in a dwelling that shall be Maintained in good Repair.
There is a noticeable draft from the edges of the windows.
Work surfaces at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) in length x 60 centimeters (2 feet) in width, exclusive of the sink, that are impervious to moisture and grease and easily cleanable so as not to impart any toxic or deleterious effect to food.
The countertop behind the sink is damaged, which allows water to seep in.
All appliances, equipment, accessories and installations provided by the Owner shall be installed and Maintained in good repair and working order and used for their intended purposes.
The oven doesn't heat up.
Did you know?
Kingston's Skyrocketing Rent
Rental rates over the period has been notably higher than the rate of inflation over the period illustrating an erosion in housing affordability in the local rental market.
Kingston Rental Housing Market Analysis ReportAverage Rent
Average cost of rent in Kingston per month for 2018 was Bachelor: $745. One bedroom: $1000. Two bedrooms: $1200. Three +(space) bedrooms: $1998.
Community Profiles - KingstonAllowable Rent Increase
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing sets the limit every year for how much landlords can legally raise your rent that year. In 2019, the limit was 1.8%. In 2020, the limit was 2.2%.
How often can a landlord increase the rent?Relevant articles
Kingston ‘housing crisis’ being blamed on Queen’s, St. Lawrence
Global News
False panic increases average rent
Queen's Journal
City creates new Climate Leadership Division, seeks public input to develop Residential Energy Retrofit Program
Kingstonist
Safeguards in place for tenants: Structural housing issues remain largely underreported to Kingston’s Property Standards department
Queen's Journal