Relocation, the internal waiting list and unit allocation

Summary

If you are a Woodsworth member currently living in the co-op and wish to move to a different unit:

  • Apartments and townhouses are allocated based on waiting lists.
  • Complete the Internal Relocation Form (available online or in the Photocopy Room).
  • Management is responsible for maintaining the lists and making offers based on the lists and the Membership Bylaw and the Occupancy Bylaw.
  • You may check the internal waiting list at any time (copy room) or speak with Management, who oversees waiting lists and unit allocations.

1. Qualifications for a unit in Woodsworth

(Member Approval and Unit Allocation (Membership Bylaw), Article 4.2)

(a) The co-operative must be satisfied that the household will meet the obligations to pay the monthly charges to the co-operative in accordance with the bylaws and their occupancy agreement. The co-operative will take into account whether or not the household qualifies for a subsidy in the new unit if a subsidy is available. See also Article 5.1.2 (c) Household in arrears.

(b) The household must meet occupancy standards.

(c) The households must qualify based on Articles 5 (Internal) or 6 (External).

2.   Types of waiting lists

Internal waiting list for unit allocation – Membership Bylaw, Article 5.

External waiting list for unit allocation – Membership Bylaw, Article 6.

3.   Who can join the Internal Waiting List? 

The Internal Waiting List is made up of members or households who live in the co-operative who are:

(a) Want or need to move to a different unit, or
(b) Are required to transfer under the co-operative’s Bylaws or any requirements of a rent-geared-to-income program or the Occupancy Bylaw, or
(c) Are former members who have been approved as returning members.

Important note:  If you move out of the co-op, you lose your membership. Former members cannot join the Internal Waiting List unless they have been formally approved as returning members.

Not a Woodsworth member?

→ See External waiting lists and moving into Woodsworth.

4. Additional eligibility restrictions

(Membership Bylaw, Article 5.1.2)

To join or remain on the internal waiting list, members must meet all of the following:

Minimum residency

Members must have lived in their unit for at least 2 years before applying. The Board may approve exceptions.

New members who joined as long-term guests or Turning 16’s

These new members must be members for 2 years before joining the internal waiting list. Time before becoming a member does not count.

Financial requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility.

Verifiable proof of income is required.

Arrears

Households in arrears may not apply or transfer units.

Exception: required rent-geared-to-income (RGI) moves.

Occupancy rules

Members may apply only for units they qualify for based on occupancy standards.

After moving, households must meet occupancy standards for three years. Otherwise, they are considered over-housed and must move to a smaller unit to meet occupancy standards.  See Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.4

All prospective occupants of the household must be listed on the relocation request and waiting list.

5. Occupancy Standards

  • Who counts toward occupancy:
    * Members
    * Children
    * Long-term guests with a signed long-term guest agreement.
  • Casual guests do not count.
  • There must be at least one member living in each unit.
  • There is no co-op-specific maximum occupancy, but all units must comply with City of Toronto property standards.
  • You must meet minimum occupancy standards to be eligible for a certain unit size:

Unit size

Minimum people

Exceptions
1 bedroom Minimum – 1 occupant None
2 bedroom Minimum – 1 occupant in mid-rise and Wilton Street only 2 occupants required for 2-bedroom townhouses.
3 bedroom Minimum – 3 occupants None
4 bedroom Minimum – 4 occupants None

Source:  Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.3

6. Choosing unit preferences

You may have requests up to two unit types at a time.

Preferences may include:
Unit type
Street or floor
Specific unit(s)

Tip: Narrow preferences (for example, a specific floor or street) do not lower your position on the list, but may delay offers. You will only be offered units that match your stated preferences.

Adding preferences does not give the household any priority for units.

7. How units are offered

When a unit becomes available:

Management offers it to the first qualified applicant based on:

For details, see Alternating between internal and external waiting lists – unit allocation.

8. Offers, refusals and contact rules

The co-op will try to contact you within 3 business days.
You have 3 business days to respond.
No response counts as a refusal.
After 3 refusals, you are moved to the bottom of the internal waiting list.

Important notes:

One refusal is counted per offer, not per preference.

The number of preferences you list does not affect refusal counts and does not give any priority when a match for your preferences comes up.

9.  Move-in timelines for internal relocations

After accepting an offer, you will receive at least 30 days to move into the unit.

You must move on the specified date.

Once you accept a unit, you are removed from all other waiting lists.

10.  After you accept a unit:

Your household is removed from all waiting lists.

Members in your unit must sign a new Occupancy Agreement.

You will receive at least 30 days’ notice for an internal relocation.

External moves follow different timelines.  They are given more time to move in. If the unit is ready earlier, the household should move in sooner if it won’t cause them financial loss. (See Membership Bylaw, Article 6.2.8.)

The household must pay or update the first and last month’s housing charges and a maintenance deposit equal to half of the last month’s charge. If you receive a subsidy, different rules apply. Refer to Occupancy Bylaw, Article 3.5.

You must vacate your current unit and move into the new one on the specified date.

You must live in your new unit for at least two years before rejoining the waiting list. In some cases, the Board may make an exception to the residency requirements. If you need an accommodation for accessibility reasons, Woodsworth has a policy in place to support you.

Your household must continue to qualify for the unit size based on the occupancy standards for 3 years.

11. When should you update your Internal Relocation Form?

You should update your form as soon as possible if:

                • Your household size or composition changes
                • Your accessibility needs change
                • You now qualify for a larger unit
                  (Example: a couple or parent with a child may qualify for a 2-bedroom townhouse; single applicants qualify only for mid-rise or Wilton Street units)
                • Your contact information changes (phone or email)
                • Your income changes (affects affordability and subsidy eligibility – (Membership Bylaw, Article 4.2 (a))

Reminder:

Updating your information or preferences does not affect your position on the waiting list.  (Membership Bylaw, Article 4 (g) and (h))

12.  Where to Get the Form

Schedule E of the Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw – Internal relocation application form

Copies are available:
– In the Photocopy Room
– On this website

13.  Recommended reading for details

Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw
→ Article 4: Allocating Units
→ Article 5: Internal Waiting List
Occupancy Bylaw
→ Article 9.3: Occupancy Standards

Alternating waiting lists
How alternating between the internal and external waiting lists works and what the bylaw says.

Final reminder:

If you’re thinking about relocating, make sure your form is up to date.
Accurate information helps ensure that:
– You don’t miss an offer
– You don’t receive offers for units you no longer want or qualify for
– You avoid unnecessary refusals