As upcoming first-time renters, first-year students need to know how to survive the ruthless rental market they are about to step into.
Kingston currently holds the eighth-highest average in rent nationwide against a 2.4 percent vacancy rate, creating a competitive market with little affordability and high demand for properties near campus. Beyond these systemic issues, first-time renters are often full of misconceptions about renting, which creates more problems on top of an already stressful situation.
Although students cannot fix the market alone, they can fix their approaches to renting by knowing when to look for housing, where to find affordable accommodation, and who makes a good housemate.
When to look for housing
When I arrived at Queens, I mistakenly assumed that I would sign a lease before reading week, and I wasn’t alone in thinking this. The misconception works to pressure first years into snatching the first property they find on Facebook Marketplace, trapping them into legal agreements with strangers, for a home that may not be the best fit.
However, good off campus housing is available year-round. I have only ever signed leases after the new year, when I have given myself enough time to find a house that feels like home.
“While some properties are listed in the fall, many others become available in the winter term. Ontario tenants are required to give a minimum of 60 days’ notice before vacating a unit, so new listings continue to appear throughout the year, not just in the fall. Most Kingston leases run for one year,” Mary Ann Tierney, the off-campus living advisor for Queen’s, wrote in a statement to The Journal.
“The Off-Campus Living Advisor (OCLA) encourages students to take their time to find the right property and housemates, rather than signing the first unit they see out of fear the market will run out.”
Where to find affordable accommodation
After years of rising costs, Kingston’s asking rent prices are declining as the rental market stabilizes. However, affordability remains a concern.
“Affordable housing for students is not confined to a single area of Kingston, and the OCLA encourages students to widen their search beyond the streets immediately surrounding campus. Neighbourhoods farther from campus often have lower rents, and many students already have a Kingston Transit bus pass included in their student fees,” Tierney said.
Although it is convenient to live in the University District, some of its asking rent prices are inaccessible. On the OCLA’s website, students can access Queen’s Community Housing and Listing Service, alongside links to property management companies and listing platforms.
“Affordability itself extends beyond the rent listed on a property: whether utilities are included, whether a unit is furnished, and the amenities provided all factor into the true cost of a unit. A room with utilities included, for example, may ultimately cost less than a lower-rent room where heat and hydro are billed separately, depending on the location and how many tenants live in the property,” Tierney said.
Affordable housing extends beyond rent and includes evaluating all living expenses, which tend to rack up — and quickly. My roommates and I were once hit with a thousand-dollar utility bill. A jump scare I thought to be impossible until we discovered that our toilet had been secretly leaking.
“The OCLA encourages students to consider their full monthly budget, including groceries, internet, transit and tenant insurance, rather than evaluating rent in isolation,” Tierney said.
Who makes a good housemate
Unfortunately, securing a rental is only half the battle. Finding good housemates is a task that must be approached cautiously.
Remember, good friends don’t always make good roommates. After having lived with both friends and strangers, I will always prioritize living with people who share similar living habits to me.
Tierney shared this sentiment, adding “Students are encouraged to choose housemates with similar schedules, priorities and expectations rather than defaulting to their closest friends, and to establish house rules and a chore schedule before moving in. Understanding joint and several liability before signing a shared lease is also important,” Tierney said.
Overcoming the second-year house curse requires expectations to be set early. Or else, prepare yourself for uninvited guests, unfair chore distribution, and loud late nights.
“Housemate conflict is common for first-time renters, but it is not inevitable. The OCLA sees the most frequent issues as chores, guests staying over too often, garbage and recycling, noise and shared utility costs,” Tierney stated.
But don’t let these issues pile up like your roommate’s stack of dirty dishes. Communication is the only way out of messy situations.
“Open, calm communication remains the most effective tool for resolving problems immediately as they come up, and picking the right housemates from the start goes a long way toward avoiding them,” Tierney said.
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As a result of the current conditions of Kingston’s rental market, students are encouraged to reach out to older students for help when needed. Many upper years have had to navigate university housing, meaning they understand the difficulties you’re facing. I guarantee your orientation leader, teaching assistant, or any other older student you know have overcome the problems you’re soon to face.
Although renting for the first time is expected to be stressful, embrace your newfound freedom as you gain these experiences that will help to guide you through adulting.
Tags
Kingston rent, rent, Student Housing
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