Rent and Subsidy Information

Rent is due and payable on or before the first day of each month. Any payment received after the first day of the month is late. The office is not open on weekend or holidays to accept in-person payments; if the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday and you plan to pay your rent in person, you must pay your rent before the first.

Payment options:

• By pre-authorized debit (automatic withdrawal from your bank account on the 1^st day of the month)
• By personal cheque. All cheques must be payable to The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Make sure your name, address and unit number are included on your cheque(s).
• Cash, debit or money order at the Brockville or Prescott offices.  

After business hours, please use the mail slot located at the main entrance of each office location. Do not mail cash or leave cash in the mail drop box. Case Managers and Custodians cannot accept any payments. An administration fee of $20.00 will be charged to your account for a returned payment (i.e. non-sufficient funds to clear the payment).

Forms:

  Pre-Authorized Payment Agreement

  Direct Deposit - OW/ODSP Form

Rent-geared to income assistance means that your rent is subsidized by various levels of government. RGI is approximately 30% of your net monthly household income. RGI for Ontario Works (OW) and/or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients is based on a rent scale as prescribed in the regulations.

If you are receiving a rent subsidy, your rent is based on your income. To keep your subsidy, you must provide updated information about your household by July 1^st of each year.

You must confirm:                    

• Who resides in your household, and
• Provide proof of income for each adult (over 18) household members, including dependants not registered in full-time school.

The most recent Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment is required for all adult household members. To request a copy of your CRA Notice of Assessment, call 1-800-959-8281.

Contact the Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence–Rideau at 613-498-2111 extension 374 if you need assistance to file your Tax Return.

Your rent will be recalculated once your updated information has been received. Failure to submit a Notice of Assessment or household information as requested, could result in your household being ineligible for RGI assistance, and you would be required to pay market rent for the unit you occupy.

You will be notified at least 30 days in advance of any rent increase based on your income.

 Reporting a Decrease in Income

You may request an interim review of your rent-geared-to-income payable, if the net income for your household decreases by 20 per cent or more. Households may only request one in-year adjustment. 

Forms:

  Employment Verification

  Verification of Income and Assets

Self-Employed:

  Monthly Income and Expense Report for Self-Employed Tenant

  Guide to Self-Employment - Allowable Deductions

As of July 1, 2020, you must report the following changes in writing within 30 days of the change:

• If you start or stop receiving social benefits, such as Ontario Works, or Ontario Disability Support Program
• If income tax is reassess for any household member
• A permanent change in household composition (e.g. any member permanently leaves the household or a new member is added to the household). 

Changes in household composition include:

•  the birth of a child,
•  a change in custody agreements,
•  spousal separation
•  Someone moves into your unit, or
•  If any household member moves out.

Please refer to your Tenant Handbook for further details.

Form:

   Verification of Income and Assets

Household Assets

Effective April 1, 2021, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has established an asset policy that restricts households from qualifying for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance and Affordable Housing if household assets are $35,000 or higher. The new asset limit applies to new applicants and current tenants.

Tenants that are currently in receipt of RGI assistance will transition to the new policy during their 2021 annual review.

Tenants that have assets above the new asset limit will not be required to move out. If your household assets are above $35,000, you will no longer qualify for a rent subsidy. This means that you can continue to reside in your unit, but must pay the market rent of the unit. Some assets are exempt from the policy.

You must report to your Case Manager if you obtain new assets or dispose of any assets within 30 days.

The Housing Department’s Occupancy Standards Policy sets out the maximum and minimum unit size for households receiving RGI assistance.

A link to the Occupancy Standards Policy is posted below.

If your household does not meet the minimum occupancy standards for your unit, then you will be considered “overhoused”, and will be required to move to a smaller unit.

Contact your Case Manager within 30 days to report changes in household composition. Adults must meet eligibility requirements before moving into an RGI unit.

Documents & Forms:

  Occupancy Standards Policy

  Overhoused Acknowledgement Form