Many topics are addressed in more than one bylaw or policy. These guides consolidate the relevant articles and policy provisions into a single, organized article, while preserving the original language wherever possible. They are intended to help members understand how Woodsworth’s bylaws and policies apply to specific topics.
Explainers and overviews of bylaws – Primarily, Occupancy, Organizational, Membership (member approval and unit allocation) but also subsidy and emergency financial assistance, human rights and accommodation, maintenance including Move-Out and renovation, and finance-related such as Spending Bylaw and Investment Policy.
The guides are provided for convenience only. The official bylaws and policies remain the authoritative source. Please refer to the bylaws and policies available online.
Accessible housing and human rights
This overview of Woodsworth accessibility regulations was developed by the Board of Directors. Woodsworth has a Human Rights Bylaw and an Accommodation policy for residents with disabilities and are bound by the Ontario laws as well.
Accommodation is part of human rights legislation. Woodsworth has created a policy, procedures and application forms.
Accommodation policy, procedures, forms, guide to the accommodation policy for disabilities.
Woodsworth must follow human rights legislation. To make it easier, the co-op adopted a bylaw and created a human rights complaint form.
Based on Membership Bylaw (Member Approval and Unit Allocation).
This guide explains Woodsworth’s Priority Waiting List for members experiencing medical or disability-related accommodation needs, severe financial hardship, or domestic violence. It outlines eligibility requirements, the documentation needed to support an application, and the process for requesting a priority move and the request form.
From the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw, Article 9
Democratic functioning, finances, participation
From the Organizational, Occupancy and Spending Bylaws.
This guide provides a reference to key bylaw provisions concerning bylaw breaches and related procedures. It helps users locate and understand rules addressing issues such as conflicts of interest, conduct, confidentiality, privacy, and occupancy. It is a guide only and does not replace the full bylaws.
This explainer is based on the Occupancy, Organizational and Spending Bylaws and the Investment Policy.
Members’ authority and role, board responsibilities, operating and capital budgets, confidentiality, member approval and authority, notice and delivery requirements, changes in housing charges, emergency spending, reserves.
This document expands on our bylaws and aligns with usual co-op practice for clarity and guidance; it is not a formal co-op policy.
Liaisons are selected from the Board of Directors according to the directors’ specific skill sets and interests. This selection process typically occurs concurrently with the appointment of officers. Liaisons report to the Board and have no independent decision making powers.
This guide summarizes the Board’s key responsibilities and powers under Woodsworth’s bylaws and related policies, including governance, Board operations, financial oversight, management, legal and ethical obligations, membership and occupancy matters, and staffing responsibilities. References to source documents are included throughout.
From the Board of Directors, October 2025
and from Management, The Weekly, November 2, 2025
This guide explains how correspondence is handled at Woodsworth, including when to contact the Office, Board, or committees, how escalations work, where to find forms and assistance programs, and expectations for respectful communication.
Based on the Spending Bylaw with references to the bylaw.
Our bylaws, especially our Spending Bylaw #90 describe how the Board of Directors must inform members about co-op finances.
Outlines the rules in the Occupancy, Membership and Organizational Bylaws.
See also Members’ meetings (below)
Based on the Housing Charge Subsidy Bylaw and the Emergency Housing Charge Assistance Policy
What the bylaws and policies say about housing charge subsidy
Maintenance
A summary organized by bylaw. Back yards and gardens had no structures in 1979. No decks, no patios. Just grass. Some members chose to build wood decks (with permission) and some put patio stones. Some did nothing. Any backyard construction and planting was done at the members’ own cost. The co-op looks for safety issues.
A summary organized by bylaw – maintenance, move-out, and maintenance renovation bylaws.
The maintenance bylaws place responsibility on both the Co-op and members: the Co-op maintains common areas, building systems, and major repairs, while members are responsible for day-to-day care of their units, obtaining approval for alterations, reporting problems promptly, and ensuring units are left in reasonable condition at move-out. The bylaws also explain the the co-op does not penalize for normal wear and tear but also how the co-op should charge for damage or unapproved changes to the unit.
This overview is based on the Move-Out Bylaw with some additions from the Maintenance and Membership Bylaws.
Key information about moves with quotes from our bylaws.
1. Unit condition
2. Inspections
3. Maintenance deposit
4. Payment for damages
5. Expectations of incoming members
6. Alterations by members
7. Moving dates
Management
What the Bylaws and Policies say about management and staff
This document brings together the parts of Woodsworth’s bylaws and policies that relate to management’s role and tasks. The original bylaw wording is included to help both management and members understand what the bylaws require and how responsibilities are assigned.
Management reports to the Board, and the directors may make other assignments for management. The maintenance and membership bylaws provide the most detail about staff responsibilities connected to property management and unit turnover. The Membership and Occupancy bylaws address member records, unit allocations, and waiting lists, including arrears within the Occupancy bylaw.
Members’ meetings
This Board-developed guide explains decisions the board must take when planning a GMM, setup for the meeting and how meetings function in a hybrid fashion (in person and online).
Based on the Organizational Bylaw
– Attendance
– Notices and agendas
– Quorum
– Participation
– How meetings operate
– Voting
– Member authority
Based on Schedule A, Organizational Bylaw
A simplified overview of the basic rules of order for meetings as an aid to chairs and participating members. The Organizational Bylaw also says that these Rules of Order replace any other rules, including Roberts’ Rules.
There are some differences about voting, quorum, etc. for Board of Directors’ meetings. See Board of Directors – key tasks and responsibilities, item 2 (b).
Membership, moving in, relocation, moving out, unit allocation and waiting lists
These are based on the Occupancy and Membership (member approval and unit allocation) bylaws.
Some are aimed at individuals (members and applicants) and some are especially helpful to Management.
Based on the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) and Occupancy Bylaws
Covers internal applicants (teens (turning 16s), long-term guests (LTGs), and returning members as well as external applicants who don’t already live in Woodsworth or have previously lived in Woodsworth.
Based on the Occupancy and Membership Bylaws.
A Woodsworth household includes only people who have official approval and status under the co-op’s bylaws.
– Who is part of the household
– Who is not part of the household
– Rights of people who are not members
– Children and young people up to age sixteen (16)
– Casual guests
– Sub-occupants
– Unit selection and relocation – occupancy standards
Based on the Occupancy and Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw
A Long-Term Guest (LTG) is someone who is not a Woodsworth member but has been formally approved by the Board of Directors to live in a member’s household. This webpage outlines the rules for long-term guests under the bylaws and includes links to the request form and long-term guest agreement signed after Board approval.
The Occupancy Bylaw has instructions for members and Management about moving out procedures.
Membership and occupancy are linked. Includes death of a member and move-outs of part of a household.
– Membership and occupancy are linked. Move out and your rights to membership end.
– Notice Requirements for Moving Out (Occupancy Bylaw, Article 10.2)
– Vacating the unit
– When only some household members move out
– Death of a member (Occupancy Bylaw, Article 10.4)
– Member rights after moving out
– Last Month’s Housing Charge Deposit and Maintenance Deposit
– Move-out standards
– Temporary absences and sublets
– Moving within Woodsworth
An explainer based on the Occupancy and the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaws.
At this time (June 2026), Woodsworth’s external waiting list is closed to new applicants. Please watch the Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto’s list for any change.
This document gives members moving into the co-op relevant information. For specific questions about your contact information or your position on the waiting list, please contact Management.
From the Occupancy Bylaw
– Principal residence and absence (proof of residency from Membership Bylaw)
– Sub-occupancy (sublets) – Occupancy Bylaw
– No short term rentals – Occupancy Bylaw
– Home businesses
An explainer based on the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) and Occupancy Bylaws.
If you’re thinking about relocating, make sure your form is up to date.
Accurate information helps ensure:
– You don’t miss an offer
– You don’t receive offers for units you no longer want or qualify for
– You avoid unnecessary refusals
1. Who can join the Internal Waiting List?
2. Additional eligibility restrictions.
3. Occupancy standards.
4. Choosing unit preferences
5. How units are offered
6. Offers, refusals and contact rules
7. Move-in timelines for internal relocations
8. After you accept a unit
9. When should you update your Internal Relocation Form?
10. Where to get the form
11. Recommended sources for details
An explainer based on the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw.
For members who have moved out of Woodsworth and wish to return, based on the Membership Bylaw. See especially the requirements about eligibility.
See Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw, Article 2.3.5. Returning members applying as internal applicants
This guide explains how young adults can become members of Woodsworth Co-op, based on the Membership and Occupancy Bylaws.
It covers who is eligible, how the approval process works, and the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
As a member, you can vote at general meetings, run in most co-op elections (you must be 18 or older to serve on the Board), and apply for your own unit after two years of membership. Membership also means being part of the co-op community—respecting its values, supporting diversity, and taking part in meetings and other co-op activities.
Based on Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw #84
This guide explains Woodsworth’s procedures for internal and external waiting lists and unit allocations. It covers relocation requests, occupancy standards, unit offers and timelines, move-in requirements, special priority situations, and Management’s role in the process. It is intended as a practical reference for Management and anyone seeking to understand how units are allocated.
See also:
Unit condition, inspections on move-out, damages, and move-ins – from the bylaws.
This overview is based on the Move-Out Bylaw with some additions from the Maintenance and Membership Bylaws.
This is based on the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw Article 4.1]. Management must follow the bylaw when units become available.
Woodsworth alternates between internal and external waiting lists for units of the same size.
Read complete bylaws and policies here.
