A Woodsworth household includes only people who have official approval and status under the co-op’s bylaws.
Who is part of the household
These people count toward household size and occupancy standards:
- Members
- Approved by the Board of Directors
- Have signed an Occupancy Agreement for the unit
- Long-term guests
- Approved by the Board of Directors
- Have signed a long-term guest agreement for that unit
- Live only in that specific unit
- Children of members
- Under age 16 who live in the unit
- Age 16 or older who continue to live in the unit
- Whether someone qualifies as a “child” is determined by the Ontario Family Law Act
Who is not part of the household
These people do not count toward household size and have limited or no rights:
- Casual guests (short-term visitors)
- Visitors
- Sub-occupants / sub-lessees
- Even when approved, they are not part of the household
- Must move out as shown on the sub-occupancy agreement
Rights of people who are not members
Long-term guests
- Count toward occupancy standards
- Are not members
- Have no independent right to live in the unit
- Cannot stay in another unit unless they move with the household
- Have no place on the internal waiting list
- May apply for membership only if the household members agree
- The Board may withdraw their long-term guest status
Children and young people up to age sixteen (16)
- Same rights as long-term guests – i.e. count toward occupancy standards and are not members.
- Teens automatically become long-term guests if they do not apply for membership.
- Are encouraged to apply for membership after they reach age 16.
- A modified or simplified membership process applies to applicants between the ages of sixteen (16) and nineteen (19) – “Turning 16s”
Casual guests
- Have no right to live in the co-op
- Are not part of the household
Sub-occupants
- Have rights only as defined in their approved sub-occupancy agreement
- Are not part of the household
Key takeaway
Only members, their children, and approved long-term guests make up a Woodsworth household. Everyone else may stay only temporarily or under special agreements — and does not count for occupancy standards.
Unit selection and relocation – occupancy standards:
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Occupancy standards set the minimum number of people required to occupy a unit. They also restrict members to a maximum number of bedrooms.
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Each unit must be occupied by at least one member.
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For occupancy standards, household size includes all those with Woodsworth status: members, children, and long-term guests.
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Household size does not include guests without long-term guest status, visitors, or sub-lessees.
Woodsworth’s occupancy standards (Occupancy Bylaw):
|
Unit size |
Minimum people |
Exceptions |
| 1 bedroom | Minimum – 1 occupant | None |
| 2 bedroom | Minimum – 1 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 |
The co-op bylaws don’t specify maximum household size, but say it is determined by the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Property Standards, Occupancy Standards. (See Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.3)
Applying for membership
In all cases, applying for membership starts with attendance at an information session held by the Membership Committee.