Tag: giving notice

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

Moving out, notice requirements, vacating the unit, and withdrawing from membership

1. Membership and Occupancy Are Linked

Under Article 10 of the Occupancy Bylaw, membership and occupancy rights are inseparable:

  • A member cannot withdraw from membership without also ending their occupancy rights.
  • A member cannot end occupancy rights without also withdrawing from membership.
  • A notice to end occupancy is also a notice to withdraw from membership.
  • A notice to withdraw from membership is also a notice to end occupancy rights.

Once a member permanently moves out and their occupancy ends, they no longer retain any membership rights in the co-op.

2. Notice Requirements for Moving Out (Occupancy Bylaw, Article 10.2)

When All Members of a Household Are Leaving

All members who wish to end their membership and occupancy rights must provide written notice to the co-op.

The notice must:

  • Be in writing.
  • State the intended termination date.
  • Specify a termination date that falls on the last day of a month.
  • Be provided at least 60 days in advance.

February and March Exceptions

Special notice deadlines apply:

  • For a termination date of February 28 (or 29), notice must be given on or before January 1.
  • For a termination date of March 31, notice must be given on or before February 1.

If Insufficient Notice Is Given

A termination notice remains valid even if less than the required notice is provided. In that case:

  • Membership and occupancy rights will end 60 days after notice is received.
  • If that date is not the last day of a month, termination will occur on the last day of that month.

Withdrawal of Notice

Members cannot withdraw a notice of termination without the written consent of the Board of Directors. The Board may refuse consent, and that decision cannot be appealed.

3. Vacating the Unit

Moving Out Before the Termination Date

If everyone in the household leaves before the termination date:

  • The co-op may take possession of the unit immediately.
  • Members and occupants cannot move back in.
  • Membership and occupancy rights end when the co-op takes possession.
  • Members remain responsible for housing charges until the original termination date.


Failure to Vacate

If the household remains in the unit after the termination date, the co-op may seek a court eviction order. The normal eviction procedures in Articles 11–15 do not apply.

Vacant or Abandoned Units

If a unit is vacant or abandoned, the co-op may take possession of the unit or begin legal proceedings. Membership and occupancy rights end on the date possession is taken.

4. When Only Some Household Members Move Out

This section applies when one or more members leave but other co-op members continue living in the unit.

The departing members should provide notice following the procedures above.

If no notice is provided:

  • The departing member’s membership and occupancy rights end on the first day they no longer occupy the unit as their principal residence.

The remaining members must notify the co-op in writing within ten (10) days whenever:

  • A member moves out; or
  • A long-term guest or non-member occupant ceases to occupy the unit as their principal residence.

This notification is required whether or not the departing person provides notice.

Housing Charge Subsidy

Where a household receives a housing charge subsidy, subsidy eligibility may be affected when a household member leaves. Members should consult the Housing Charge Subsidy Bylaw Article 4.4 and applicable government requirements for details.

Long-term guest (LTG) leaves

When a long-term guest leaves: The members staying in the unit must notify the co-op within ten days, whether or not the guest gives notice.

5. Death of a Member (Occupancy Bylaw, Article 10.4)

Membership and Occupancy Rights

A deceased member’s membership and occupancy rights end on the date of death.

Where No Other Members Occupy the Unit

If no other members live in the unit:

  • The member’s estate is responsible for housing charges for the month of death and the following month.
  • The estate must remove all belongings by the end of that period unless another arrangement is made with the co-op.
  • If possessions are not removed on time, the co-op may remove and dispose of them without liability.


Where Other Members Occupy the Unit

If other members remain in the unit, they must notify the co-op in writing of the member’s death.

Approved Long-Term Guests

An approved long-term guest may apply for membership if:

  • The guest occupied the unit at the time of the member’s death;
  • The guest’s occupancy had previously been approved by the Board; and
  • No other member occupied the unit at the time of death.

If accepted as a member, the guest may remain in the unit subject to applicable occupancy requirements. If the guest does not apply or the application is denied, the Board may require the guest to leave without following the eviction procedures in Articles 11–15.

6. Member Rights After Moving Out

Once membership and occupancy rights end, former members:

  • Have no right to occupy their former unit.
  • Have no right to occupy any other unit in the co-op.
  • Have no right to remain on or join internal relocation waiting lists.
  • Will be removed from any existing internal waiting lists.

Former members may apply to become members again in the future under the Returning Member provisions of the Membership Bylaw.

Members who anticipate reapplying in the future should retain documentation demonstrating that they lived in Woodsworth for at least two years.

7. Last Month’s Housing Charge Deposit and Maintenance Deposit

Article 3.5 of the Occupancy Bylaw governs the treatment of deposits when members leave the co-op.

Last Month’s Housing Charge Deposit

The last month’s housing charge deposit may be applied to the member’s final month of occupancy if:

  • Proper notice has been provided in accordance with the Occupancy Bylaw; and
  • The member does not owe any money to the co-op.

If money is owed, the co-op may apply the deposit toward outstanding amounts.

Maintenance Deposit

The maintenance deposit is returned when the member and their household permanently leave the co-op.

Before returning the deposit, the co-op may deduct amounts owed because:

  • Insufficient notice was provided;
  • The unit was not left in the condition required by the co-op’s bylaws;
  • The member owes money to the co-op; or
  • The member failed to pay their final housing charges.

Interest

The co-op does not pay interest on either the last month’s housing charge deposit or the maintenance deposit.

8. Move-Out Standards

Members must leave their unit clean and in good condition when moving out.

The Move-Out Bylaw outlines:

  • Expected unit condition upon move-out;
  • Inspection procedures;
  • Reports identifying any required repairs or deficiencies.

Members will not be charged for normal wear and tear.

9. Temporary Absences and Sublets

Moving out permanently is different from a temporary absence or approved sub-occupancy (sublet).

Members may sublet their unit for a period of time.

Use Woodsworth’s form to request a sub-occupancy of your unit. It must be completed and given to Management. The Board must approve the sub-occupancy and its duration. 

After approval, all co-op members in the household and all sub-occupants must sign and comply with a Sub-Occupancy Agreement before the sub-occupancy begins. (Occupancy Bylaw, Schedule C)

For more information, see the Occupancy Bylaw, section 8.6.

Members wishing to sublet their unit must:

  • Submit Woodsworth’s sub-occupancy request form to Management;
  • Obtain Board approval for any sub-occupancy exceeding one month;
  • Sign a Sub-Occupancy Agreement before the sublet begins.

Sub-occupancies are normally limited to three months, although the Board may approve a longer period of up to one year.

Members may not profit directly or indirectly from a sub-occupancy arrangement.

For full details, see Occupancy Bylaw Article 8.6 and Schedule C.

10. Moving Within Woodsworth

The information in this document applies to members who are permanently leaving Woodsworth Co-op.

If you are relocating to another unit within Woodsworth, different bylaw provisions apply for some topics.  Please consult the relocation policies and applicable sections of the Occupancy Bylaw.

Resource:

Relocations and moves