John Orr Tower Tenants

Table of Contents

• Floor Plan
• How to Apply/Eligibility
  • Sample Lease
• Applications
• Rent Information and Rates
• John Orr Tower Handbook
• Services, Amenities and Resources
• Responsible Event Hosting
• Assignment & Sublet Process
• Maintenance Request

ADDRESS: 244 Hargreaves Way, Kingston, Ontario, K7M 5W9

John Orr Tower is a 16 story apartment building containing 123 one-bedroom apartments, each with a private balcony. The apartments are designed to minimize the financial outlay for furnishing and maintenance while providing an attractive and comfortable atmosphere. All apartments are equipped with refrigerators and stoves. There are also a limited number of furnished units available complete with basic furniture – bed, sofa, desk, bookshelf, coffee table.

John Orr is mainly populated by student couples and single students. Please note these units may pose a risk for children. This building is compliant with all standards and codes, but is 16 stories high, has balconies and windows which are accessible to children. There are no public play areas available.

John Orr Tower is located off of Hargreaves Way and is a prominent feature of Queen’s West Campus. Tenants may take advantage of the many west-campus recreational facilities such as tennis courts, track, gym. It is approximately a 20 minute walk from main campus.

John Orr Tower is classified as a student residence. Therefore, for income tax purposes, a maximum of $25 per year may be claimed for rent.

Current tenants who wish to be considered for a new lease MUST submit an application each year.

FLOOR PLAN

One Bedroom Floor Plan

Features and Services

• Main floor Laundry Room
• Close to schools, grocery stores, & shopping
• Close to public transit
• All utilities included (heat, water, electricity)
• Private balconies
• Bright spacious units with basement storage lockers
• Fridge and stove included
• Limited furnished units available

Appliances (all units):

• Fridge
• Stove

Furnished Units (limited availability):

• 1 Double size bed and mattress
• 1 Bookcase
• 1 Desk
• 1 Desk chair
• 1 Three-seat couch
• 1 Arm chair
• 1 Coffee table
• 2 Stools
• 1 Microwave
• Curtain rods & drapery for all windows

An Clachan & John Orr Tower (Unfurnished) Unit -User Guide

An Clachan & John Orr Tower (Furnished) Unit- User Guide

How to Apply/Eligibility

Please note that John Orr Tower is a high rise apartment building with balconies and as such is not very well suited to accommodating children.

Applications for John Orr Tower are available subject to apartment availability. Most leases have annual start dates of September 1. There may be a limited number of leases with January 1 or May 1 starts. Leases are typically for 12 months. Furnished units may be available for shorter lease terms (subject to availability).

Eligibility is restricted to active, registered Queen’s students in good standing with the University. Please be sure to include your Queen’s student number and a current email address (preferably your @queensu.ca account) on your application. We will send you an email to let you know that your application has been received. Successful applicants will be notified by email of rental offers as they are available; please be sure to check your email regularly as there is a limited timeframe in which to respond. If you have email filtering activated, please be sure to add community.housing@queensu.ca to your safe list.

John Orr Tower Sample Lease

OCCUPANCY LIMITS
Occupancy limits apply per section 3.1.17.1.(1) (c) of the Ontario Building Code are two persons per sleeping room or sleeping area in a dwelling unit or suite.

Students requiring Special Consideration

Queen’s Community Housing strives to provide the best possible environment for students to achieve their academic goals. The residential rental properties owned by Queen’s University and managed by Community Housing are not handicapped accessible housing. Tenants/occupants have the opportunity to view the unit personally or have an agent view the unit prior to signing a lease and should be able to make an informed decision if the unit meets their individual needs as the unit is presented. However, there may be unique circumstances where a tenant/occupant may request special consideration. Community Housing cannot guarantee to accommodate all requests for special consideration.

Not all disabilities or medical conditions require special assignment or considerations. The documentation completed by the medical professional must verify the tenant has a disability or medical condition but not the specific diagnosis, and identify the functional limitation (if any) related to the disability or medical condition.

Should you have questions regarding this or would like to make a request for consideration, please contact Community Housing by emailing community.housing@queensu.ca.

Applications

Applications for both An Clachan and John Orr Tower for September 1st leases will be available in May 2023. More details will be provided at a later date.

We encourage you to please check the Accommodation Listing Service for potential rental units available from local landlords. You can also review resources for Finding a Place to Live.

Rent Information and Rates

Rent information:

Payments

• Rent is due on the 1st day of each month. Community Housing only accepts one payment per unit.  
• “Split rent” payments are permitted only when Pre Authorized Debit Agreement Forms (for the balance of the lease term) are submitted by all members of the rental unit; all required documentation for the unit must be received as a package by the 15th day of the month preceding the month to start split rent payments (i.e.  April 15 for May leases, August 15 for September leases).  
• Where tenants choose to split rent payments for their unit in this way, the total of the amounts to be debited each month must equal the monthly rent.  Units choosing to pay rent in one monthly instalment may also use the Pre Authorized Debit Agreement Forms, pay by cash, debit, money order to the Community Housing office so that it is received by the first day of each month.  If your unit chooses to leave post-dated cheques, your unit will need to provide a series of post-dated cheques for the full lease term, for the total monthly rent, dated for the first day of each month.
• Our office does not accept credit cards or e-transfers.

Late Rent, Overdue Accounts, and Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF)

• If rent is not paid by the first day each month or a cheque is returned for any reason or we are unsuccessful in debiting funds through automatic debit due to non-sufficient funds (NSF), Funds held, Funds not cleared, cannot trace etc, the full rent charge will be added along with an additional administration fee (this is separate from the fee charged by your bank). Only cash, interac, money order, or certified cheque will be accepted for payment of rent and the NSF fee in these situations (these cannot be added to your next pre-authorized debit payment).
• On a first time failure to pay full rent (including NSFs), the unit will be sent a letter requesting payment. Failure to respond to that notice or a second rent related problem will end the privilege of split rent payments for the unit for the duration of the lease and result in the filing of a L9 Application to Collect Rent The Tenant Owes with the Landlord and Tenant Board. This carries an additional charge and involves a hearing in front of the Board (unless the rent due, NSF fees and the filing fee are paid in advance of the hearing).
• Subsequent rent related problems will result in additional L9 Applications and/or lead to eviction proceedings. While this is the usual process, the University reserves the right to move directly to the “N4 – Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Nonpayment of Rent” and/or “L9 – Application to Collect Rent the Tenant Owes”, as permitted by the Residential Tenancies Act in regards to late rent.  Most importantly, poor rent payment history will prevent tenants from being able to rent a Queen’s owned property in the future. 
• Where there are outstanding debts, any payments received from tenants will be applied first to the outstanding debt with any remaining balance applied against current charges. It is the responsibility of the tenant(s) to ensure the unit account remains in good standing.

We do not track individual payments 

• Outstanding amounts are charged to the unit/household. Household members are responsible for tracking their payments. There is an administrative fee to have our records searched. Outstanding accounts owed to Community Housing is considered debts to the University. They are reported to the University on a monthly basis.
• All sanctions apply to these outstanding accounts, including withholding of marks, transcripts and blocking of registration.
• Please remember, all tenants of a unit are “jointly and severally” responsible for any debts of that unit. Even if you have an agreement with your roommates to split the rent payments, if one does not pay everyone is held responsible for the debt.

Accepted methods of payments:

• Our office accepts pre-authorized debit, cash, cheque, money order, interac/debit, in CANADIAN funds only.
• We do not accept e-transfers or credit cards.

Note 1: We cannot accept future rent payments other than via post dated cheques/pre-authorized debits

Note 2: We understand circumstances sometime crop up where special consideration may be warranted for late payment of rent. When this happens, tenants should send in a request for consideration to Community Housing by emailing community.housing@queensu.ca outlining (1) what the exceptional circumstance is and (2) the timeframe that we should expect rent payment. If such a request is received, reviewed and found that an exception to pay late should be granted, it would be understood that this is a one-time exception not an on-going arrangement.

Other Fees

There are other fees applicable from time to time. The list below illustrates some of the more common ones but is not an all inclusive list:

• Extra Appliances: Advance permission must be received from the Manager, Community Housing and/or designate before any additional appliances may be brought into/installed in/used in (e.g. air conditioner, extra fridge, deep freeze, space heater, washer, dryer, dishwasher) the rental unit. Additional charges may apply
• Garbage: Warnings will be issued for garbage not disposed of properly. Repeat offenders will be fined each time the landlord has to pick-up and dispose of garbage mishandled.
• Paint: Please refer to Tenant Handbook, Alterations section – not to make alterations including paint and wallpaper – costs for restoring colour/condition immediately will be attributed to the tenant
• Satellite Dishes: Satellite dishes may not be installed in Community Housing Properties
• Cleaning: Tenants must leave their unit thoroughly cleaned and in a ready to rent condition upon vacating. Charges will be assessed for cleaning, damages, etc. as applicable.

Rates

Effective February 1, 2023 Utilities (Heat, water, electricity) included.

John Orr Tower Tenant Handbook 2022-2023

Services, Amenities and Resources

Storage 

• Storage lockers are available for each apartment at John Orr Tower. They are located in the basement area. Tenant(s) wishing to use the storage locker should contact community.housing@queensu.ca.
• This storage locker area is checked on a regular basis. Items are permitted to be stored within the caged locker itself not in the common area outside of the locker (walkway) and/or locker room (basement hallway). 
• Tenants are not permitted to change the locks. Locks are issued by Community Housing.

Parking

• Parking is not included in rent. There is limited active parking available for Tenants. Tenants must register their vehicle with Community Housing to receive a parking hang tag which permits the tenant to park in any of the John Orr Tower parking spaces except those designated Service Vehicle Parking.
• At this time, Community Housing is not charging an additional parking fee for these spaces.  Parking fees may be subject to change at a later date.
• Unregistered vehicles parked in tenant parking areas are subject to municipal tickets and towing of said vehicle at the owner’s risk and expense.

Parking Permits

• You will need to show the ownership of your vehicle to receive a parking permit.
• The ownership must be in the tenants’ name or a family member with the same last name.
• As there are limited spaces available in this lot, parking permits will be issued on a first come first served basis.
• A John Orr Tower parking permit is only valid in the parking lot beside the building and for one lease term.

Visitor Parking

• There is no visitor parking. Pay and display parking is available in front of Duncan McArthur Hall. 

Laundry 

• John Orr Tower has a central laundry facility on the first floor. All University laundry rooms are managed by Coinamatic.
• Please visit Coinamatic for Service Requests or for Refund Requests. All tenants are required to download the Coinamatic CP mobile app from Apple Store or Google Play to pay for their washing and drying.
• For those without a smartphone, you will be able to purchase a new laundry card directly from a Card Reload Kiosk.

Card Reload Kiosk Locations:

1. An Clachan – 47 Van Order Drive, in the lobby of Building 5
2. Victoria Hall on campus

Laundry Room Hours: 

• The laundry rooms are locked 24/7 and accessible by using your building key. Tenants are asked to be considerate of others by using the laundry rooms between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm only (last load should be in a machine no later than 9:30 pm). 

Laundry left in machines

• Please ensure prompt removal of your clothing from the machines so other tenants may use them. Items left in the laundry room are left at the tenant’s own risk.

Garbage and Recycling 

• Domestic garbage, cardboard and other recyclable items should be deposited in the designated bins provided in the basement of John Orr Tower.

Fire Safety 

• The best way to learn how to protect yourself and those around you is by reading our fire safety document. In it you will find information about what to do in case of a fire or fire alarm. Each of our units and our buildings are equipped with fire detection devices. To learn more: John Orr Tower fire devices

Transportation 

• Kingston Transit provides service to other areas of the city that tenants may wish to visit. For tenants, there are bus stops within walking distance from John Orr Tower.  For those wishing to access other areas of the city there are many routes and schedules accessible to tenants.  Visit the Kingston Transit website for details. 

Thinking about Hosting An Event at Your Place?

As tenants, you and your guests are part of the Kingston community and should promote positive relations with the City and your neighbours.

Tips for Responsible Hosting

When hosting a gathering at your place, there are few things you can do to support a respectful and safe environment:

• Follow the current restrictions on gatherings and ensure you and your guests follow Public Health guidelines.
• Read Kingston’s bylaws around Noise (PDF | 978KB)  and Nuisance Parties (PDF | 157KB)
• Keep music and guests at an appropriate and manageable level
• Decide on a guest list ahead of time and stick to it
• Have food and water for your guests

If you are concerned about uninvited guests near your residence or should you witness unsafe and/or negative behavior we encourage you to report it to Kingston Police and/or Queen’s Campus Security.

Learn more about your responsibilities as a host from Queen’s Legal Aid. 

1. University District Safety Initiative
2. Nuisance Party Bylaw 
3. Non-Academic Misconduct

For a Life-Threatening Emergency
Call 911 and/or Queen’s 24-hour Campus Security and Emergency Services at 613-533-6111

Assignment and Sublet Process

If you are considering an Assignment of your lease for a period greater than five months, please email us in advance of completing the Application.

All leases for Queen’s owned rental units are rented on fixed terms with defined end dates. Occasionally, there may be situations where a student who is in a current lease needs or wants to leave Kingston or the rental unit (e.g. for work study, research assignment, graduation, etc.).Under the RTA, the University is exempt from the clause(s) that require a landlord to permit a sub-tenancy or assignment. Permission to assign or sublet must be granted by Community Housing BEFORE anyone other than the named tenants and occupants live in the unit. Tenants should not advertise or guarantee any option to renew the lease for the unit. No requests to assign or sublet a unit will be granted for only the last month of the lease term.

Assignment

• The tenant wishes to leave the unit and not return before the end of the lease term
• The person taking over the lease (assignee) must qualify as a tenant, ie be a registered Queen’s student in good standing with the University
• The assignee assumes full responsibility for all lease terms and conditions for the balance of the lease term
• The full amount of the rent will be paid to Community Housing by the assignee for the balance of the lease period
• To be offered the opportunity to sign a new lease in the unit for the next lease term, the assignee must be residing in the unit for at least six months prior to the end of the lease term. Rent may be moved to market rent for the new lease period

Sublet

• All tenants and occupants are going to vacate the unit for a period of time and return to the unit before the end of the lease term
• The subtenant must be a registered Queen’s student in good standing with the University
• The full amount of rent will continue to be paid to Community Housing by the tenant. The subtenant will pay rent to the tenant
• Subtenants do not have any reapplication rights for the unit

Process This process can take 6-10 business days provided all requirements are met.

1. The tenant must complete and submit a Tenant Request to Assign or Sublease form to the Community Housing office. An application from the potential assignee/subtenant may be submitted at this time.
2. Upon receipt of the application an inspection of the unit may be scheduled. This is usually within 5 to 10 business days of the submission of the application however will be no more than 60 days prior to the start date of the sublet/assignment. The inspection will review the unit for any damages and cleanliness of the unit. The unit must meet the inspection requirements to pass. If the unit does not meet inspection requirements the tenant will receive instructions of what must be done in order to pass the inspection. Once the issues have been addressed the tenant can request another inspection. There is a fee of $25 for any follow-up inspections. This amount must be paid before the inspection will be scheduled.
3. Once an application from a potential assignee/subtenant has been received it will be reviewed for eligibility.
4. The agreement for either assignment or sublet will be produced by the Community Housing office. Signature from all parties are required.
5. The transfer of keys is the responsibility of the tenant.

Please note: Community Housing does not clean the unit before an assignee or subtenant moves in. Tenants/sub-tenants currently residing in a Community Housing unit will not be approved as applicants for sub-tenancy or assignment for the same lease period in another Community Housing unit.

• Request to Assign or Sublet form – This form is to be completed by the tenant(s) who what to assign or sublet a Community Housing unit they currently live in.
• Assignment or Sublease Application form – This form is to be completed by the student who wants to sublet or assign a unit from a current tenant of An Clachan or John Orr Tower

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