Information For Landlords

Affordable Rental Registry

The Housing Desk needs help identifying affordable units available for rent. Many are not listed in the local papers. We are in the process of developing a registry of affordable rental units in Kitchener/Waterloo. We are particularly interested in units affordable for those on Social Assistance. This means less than $350 for a single person and less than $525 for a couple receiving Ontario Works, or less than $500 for a single person and less than $800 for a couple receiving Ontario Disablity Service Program (ODSP).

The registry is a free service aimed at matching landlords with prospective tenants. We would keep your information on file and post it whenever you let us know a unit is available. A landlord can choose to have the unit posted in our public housing binder or in a private binder where your number would only be given out at the discretion of our Housing Desk staff. If you have a rental unit you would like to list with us, please fill out our registration form and submit it via fax or mail.

Renting to Tenants Receiving Social Assistance

A surprising number of landlords are hesitant to rent to tenants receiving Social Assistance - either Ontario Works or ODSP. However, Social Assistance provides a stable, predictable source of income on a monthly basis while people are receiving it. If someone on Social Assistance wants to rent a unit from you, you will need to fill out an Rental Promise Note form which they will then bring to their Caseworker as verification of their address. After this form is filled out a cheque should be available in approximately 2 days. The Rental Promise Note form is not a legally binding rental agreement, but rather a verification of address and an indication of your willingness to hold an apartment for a tenant until they can get their rent money for you.

Affordability

Many "affordable" units are still unaffordable for those on Ontario Works Social Assistance who receive a maximum housing allowance of $350 as an individual or $525 as a couple. If you currently have rooms or apartments for rent, consider earmarking some or all of them as affordable housing units at these rates.

Other Resources for Landlords

Please visit the Landlord Resources page for more information about places to advertise your rental unit, landlord associations and other resources available for you in the Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge area.

For more information, contact the Housing Desk at (519) 743-1151 ext. 117 or by email.