Are you an outgoing exchange student for this upcoming winter term (January to April)? If you are going on exchange and planning to find a subtenant, it is important to distinguish between a sublet and an occupancy arrangement, as they are treated differently under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
Before signing a lease with your friends, it is important you truly know each other and have taken the time to discuss what you want your house environment to look like. Sharing a living space with a roommate can be a rewarding and cost-effective choice but it is not without its challenges. Here are some tips I have learned along the way to finding the perfect roommates.
Date
Tuesday November 25, 2025Location
Ellis Auditorium (Room 152), Ellis Hall, 58 University AvenueDo you have questions about navigating the Kingston Rental Market, and your rights and responsibilities as a future tenant? Are you feeling pressure to sign a lease and not really sure where to start?
Come and meet Sergio, one of our Off-Campus Living Advisors who will do a presentation with a Q&A to follow.
Signing up to attend this housing talk is not required, but if you would like to tell us that you are planning to attend, we can send a reminder as we get closer.
Date
Thursday November 13, 2025Location
BanRigh Private Dinning RoomCupcakes & Connections! 馃
Looking for a housemate or just want to meet other students living off-campus for next year?
Join us for our Housemate Search Social: Cupcake Decorating Edition!
Come decorate cupcakes, make friends, and maybe even find your next roommate 馃懐
Drop-in anytime between 6:30pm & 8:30pm!
*supplies are provided by the OCLA office.
Date
Wednesday October 29, 2025Location
All Queen's University students are welcome to attend this free event!
Meet potential landlords/property management companies, the Off-Campus Living Advisors, learn about lease timelines, and connect with local housing resources鈥攁ll in one place. This is also an opportunity to connect with other students looking for housing and to learn about upcoming housemate socials.
Students, all you have to do is show up with questions to ask, no registration is required!
Please note: leases are not allowed to be signed at this event. Landlords and property managers attending the event have no affiliation with Queen's University and are by no means recommended and/or vetted. Independent research and due diligence is required.
Date
Monday October 20, 2025Looking for housemates for next year?
Come hang out, paint a mini pumpkin, and meet other students also searching for roommates or housemates to share a unit with!
Date: Monday October 20th
Time: 5:00 PM鈥6:30 PM
Location: JDUC Room 348
No pressure, just good vibes, paint, and potential new friends (and housemates!).
Bring your creativity 鈥 we鈥檒l bring the mini pumpkins.
Start Date
Tuesday October 28, 2025End Date
Wednesday October 29, 2025Time
6:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation
All Queen's University students are welcome to attend this free event!
Meet potential landlords/property management companies, the Off-Campus Living Advisors, learn about lease timelines, and connect with local housing resources鈥攁ll in one place. This is also an opportunity to connect with other students looking for housing and to learn about upcoming housemate socials.
Students, all you have to do is show up with questions to ask, no registration is required!
Please note: leases are not allowed to be signed at this event. Landlords and property managers attending the event have no affiliation with Queen's University and are by no means recommended and/or vetted. Independent research and due diligence is required.
Are you living with others for the first time or coming back together after being apart for the summer? Regardless of your situation, living with others can be difficult so it is important to keep open lanes of communication, inform your housemates of your expectations, priorities, and be ready to compromise.
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), assumes that students who sign a joint and several lease have a shared understanding of how they will live together. When you sign a joint and several lease, you are financially responsible for each other.
Moving to a new home has two sides. One is the stressful side, with many details to worry about, fear of the new, and changes. The other is the exciting side, with the new life that opens up, new experiences, and opportunities 鈥 especially for students who are moving away from home to start their university journey.
