Residents in a housing cooperative
Worth knowing about clauses
As a shareholder, it's important to be familiar with the various clauses that set the framework for life and community in the housing cooperative. On this page, we provide you with useful knowledge and information about general assemblies, bylaws, and house rules.
General assemblies
The general assembly provides shareholders the opportunity to meet and discuss important issues concerning our housing cooperative. This is where we can exchange ideas, make proposals, and make decisions that affect our community and our homes. Your participation and vote are important as they contribute to shaping our community and ensuring that our housing cooperative functions in the best possible way. Topics that can be discussed at the general assembly include:
Operating budget
Annual accounts
Size of the housing fee
Valuation of the housing cooperative's property and the value of the shares
Maintenance and improvement projects
Election of board members
Election of administrator and auditor
Below you will find information about the two types of general assemblies you can participate in: the ordinary general assemblies and the extraordinary general assemblies.
You hold an ordinary general assembly every year, typically 4 months after the end of the financial year. This means by the end of April if the financial year follows the calendar year. You can always learn more about the financial year by looking at the cooperative's bylaws.
Extraordinary general assemblies can be held as needed. This typically occurs when decisions need to be made about the implementation of maintenance and improvement projects, as well as changes to the bylaws. Additionally, you can hold extraordinary general assemblies if there hasn't been sufficient attendance at a previous general assembly to make a binding decision. It's a good idea for board members to familiarise themselves with the bylaws' rules for holding general assemblies, and we recommend that new board members attend a course on this subject. At DEAS, we offer ongoing courses for boards.
The bylaws form the foundation of the housing cooperative and establish the rules for the mutual relationship between you, the shareholders. They include regulations that apply from the moment you move in until the moment you leave the housing cooperative. The bylaws also contain provisions for entering into agreements with creditors, such as tradespeople, as well as rules about these creditors' rights in relation to you as shareholders. The bylaws were originally formulated and approved upon the establishment of the housing cooperative. However, changes may have been made since then, so it's important to ensure you have the latest approved version. We aim to help you understand and navigate the bylaws. If you have any questions about them, please contact us.
House rules
Many housing cooperatives also have house rules that set the framework for daily life and interaction within the cooperative. The house rules serve as a guide to good neighbourliness and define the general guidelines for members. The house rules can be adapted and updated collectively to always reflect our shared values and needs. If you wish to learn more about the house rules, you can read DEAS' standard house rules via the button below.
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If you have any unanswered questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
