Woodsworth Membership Bylaw #84: Schedule B, Summary of Time Requirements
Schedule B at the end of the Membership (Member Approval and Unit Allocation) Bylaw is a summary of the time requirements for some actions by the co-operative or by applicants as required under this Bylaw and the Co-operative Corporations Act. In case of conflict the Co-operative Corporations Act and the Bylaw will govern over Schedule B.
Schedule B details the time requirements in the membership bylaw, including:
– restrictions and waiting periods for some new members can join the waiting lists for relocation
– expiry date for membership application forms after an information session
– timelines for Management and those on waiting lists when accepting or refusing unit offers, including priority moves
– move-in dates for internal and external waiting list members after accepting a unit
These were approved by members when they approved the Membership Bylaw.
Time restrictions on joining the internal waiting list for internal applicants
- Long-term guests (who become members):
Article 2.3.3 (h) A resident who has become a member by living with existing member(s) must wait two (2) years from the date of becoming a member to take sole responsibility for that unit or to apply to relocate independently of that member.
Those already on the internal waiting list prior to confirmation of this bylaw by members on Sept 26, 2023 who joined the waiting list with a one year wait time are exempt from the new time period.
Article 2.3.3 (i) They cannot join the internal waiting list until the required waiting period of two (2) years has elapsed. Any period of time before Board approval as member is not included in the two years. However, they may be eligible to move with the rest of the household.
Article 2.3.3 (j). They cannot inherit a unit alone until they have lived with the household for two (2) years. Exception: Occupancy Bylaw, Article 10.4 Death of a member.
- Turning Sixteen’s (turning 16) who become members after living with members as a child or young teen
Article 1.3. Special Meanings Persons living in a member’s household between the ages of 16 and 19. There are special rules that apply when they become an applicant for membership. See the Occupancy Bylaw, Article 8.3. Turning Sixteen (16) and Article 8.1 (a) Who is part of a household.
Articles 2.3.4 (h-i) A resident who has become a member by living with existing member(s) must wait two (2) years from the date of becoming a member to take sole responsibility for that unit or to apply to relocate independently of that member.
They cannot join the internal waiting list until the required waiting period of two (2) years has elapsed. Any period of time before Board approval as member is not included in the two years.
Those already on the internal waiting list prior to confirmation of this bylaw by members on Sept 26, 2023 who joined the waiting list with a one year wait time are exempt from the new time period.
Time restrictions on applying as a returning member
Article 2.3.5 Returning members:
The applicant(s) must have formerly resided in the co-op as a member for two (2) years.
Delays after information session and submission of application form:
Article 2.4 Internal and external applicants: Applicants must have attended an information session within three (3) months of submitting an application for membership.
Refused membership and appeals about membership:
Article 3.2 Refused membership: Notice in writing within ten (10) business days of the date of the Board meeting.
Article 3.3 Appeal of membership refusals: Notice of appeal must be received at the co-operative office within twenty (20) business days.
The co-operative will notify the applicant in writing of the Board’s decision within ten (10) business days of the Board meeting at which the decision was made.
Article 3.5 Record of refusals – The co-operative will maintain a written record of refusals for a period of at least seven (7) years after the day the letter was given to the applicant.
Internal unit offers
Minimum Period of Residence for internal waiting list
Article 5.1.2 (a) Joining the internal waiting list: Must be a member resident for a minimum of two (2) years immediately prior to submitting an application to transfer. Article 5.1.2 (a) Minimum period of residence
Restrictions on joining the internal waiting list – arrears
Article 5.1.2 (c) A household in arrears cannot be on the internal waiting list except a rent-geared-to-income household that is required to move due to government requirements
If member cannot be contacted, it is considered a refusal
Article 5.5.1 If the co-operative is unable to contact the member next in line on the internal waiting list within three (3) business days, the unit will be offered to the next eligible member on the internal waiting list. It is considered a refusal.
Notification of Acceptance of a unit by applicant:
Article 5.5.2 Households on the internal waiting list that have been offered a unit for which they are eligible, must notify the co-operative within three (3) business days whether they wish to accept the unit. If they fail to do so, they will be considered to have refused the unit.
Refusal of a unit (number of units before losing their position on the internal waiting list):
Article 5.5.3. Households that are not required to move that have requested a transfer, may refuse up to two (2) units that have been offered and retain their position on the internal waiting list. After the third refusal, the household is moved to the bottom of all waiting lists.
Refusal of a unit if required to move
Article 5.5.4 Households required to move are allowed three (3) refusals only.
See Housing Charge Subsidy Bylaw, Article 2.6. Procedures for over-housing and Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.4 (d) Three offers
Priority status waiting list and refusals
Article 5.5.5 Households that have been given special priority status for an internal move as defined in Article 5.2 1 (Priority Internal Waiting List) will be offered three (3) opportunities to accept a unit based on their Accommodation Plan. After three refusals, the household will be removed from the priority waiting list. The member can apply for the internal waiting list.
External unit offers
Offers to applicants on the external waiting list
Article 6.2 (a) Time limit
A household offered a unit will be given three (3) business days to decide whether to accept the unit and sign the Occupancy Agreement.
Article 6.2 (b) Missed time limit considered refusal
If the household does not within three (3) business days, inform the co-operative office that it accepts the unit and signs the Occupancy Agreement, it will be considered to have refused the unit.
If an external applicant cannot be contacted
Article 6.2.4 If the co-operative is unable to contact the household with top placement on the external waiting list within three (3) business days, the unit will be offered to the next eligible household. The first household will be skipped over but will retain its rank on the waiting list.
Refusal of units (number of units before losing their position on the external waiting list)
Article 6.2.5 Households may refuse up to three units that have been offered and retain their position on the external waiting list. If they refuse three units that meet their stated criteria, they will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list.
No matter how many unit types or sizes or criteria the applicant indicates on their application form, the number of allowed refusals does not change. Management will keep a record of refusals.
Moving into the unit – timeline
Moving date when relocating (from the internal waiting list)
Article 5.5.7 Once a member on the internal waiting list has accepted a unit, the member must vacate their unit and move into the new unit on the date specified when the unit was offered.
Members will be provided with at least thirty (30) days notice for an internal relocation.
Moving date when moving into a unit (from the external waiting list)
Article 6.2.8 If a household on the external waiting list accepts a unit that has been offered to them, they will not be required to take occupancy and commence payment of the housing charges until the first day of the third month following the offer.
If the unit is vacant earlier, the household must make all reasonable efforts to move in and commence paying the housing charges earlier, if it can be done without financial loss to them.
Appeals of waiting list decisions
Article 7.2 Appeals for the waiting list
The applicant will receive ten (10) days’ notice in writing of the consideration of the appeal by the Board of Directors.
The co-operative will notify the applicant in writing of the Board’s decision within ten (10) business days of the Board meeting at which the decision was made.