A cooperative is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members. Starting a co-op involves a few important legal steps...

What's the legal framework of co-op housing?

A cooperative is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members.

Starting a co-op involves a few important legal steps.

Get to know the legal guidelines for co-ops in your region or country.

And consult a lawyer with experience in cooperative housing.

Cooperatives must register or incorporate in order to operate within the legal guidelines of their region or country.

Other legal tasks:
Create bylaws
Elect or appoint a board of directors
Get necessary permits and licenses
Maintain legal and financial records

Every co-op has its own rules or bylaws. If you’re considering joining a co-op, read their rules carefully to ensure that a co-op is a good fit for you.

To move into a co-op, you must either found the co-op or join it.

Members elect the board of directors and vote on major decisions at the annual general meeting (AGM). The board of directors makes decisions about how the co-op is governed.

Because of the pandemic, some co-ops have updated their bylaws to hold online meetings.

Democratic governance is a key part of how housing cooperatives work.

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