Partners Policy

1. Definition of a Partner

1.1 A partner is someone with whom a Co-op member wishes to live
and has a permanent relationship with. This partnership includes
heterosexual and LGBT partners but excludes friends.

Under this policy the Co-op will not accept any member having more than one partner at any one time.

1.2 Live-in partners may become Co-op members. The member and their partner should be made fully aware of this policy.

2. Procedure for Admitting Partners to Co-Op Membership

2.1 The procedure starts when a Co-op member writes to Membership asking for their partner to become a member of the Co-op

2.2 If the Co-op member’s membership is not under review and they are not in rent arrears, Membership sub-group will give the member a Partners Form.

2.3 The Co-op member and the partner both complete the form and return it to Membership. The Co-op will automatically agree to the partner remaining as the Co-op member’s guest while the partner’s membership is considered (subject to the agreement of other members in the case of a shared household).

2.4 Membership report to the next Management Committee Meeting that an application has been received for a partner to join the Co-op.

2.5 Membership then arranges for the partner to

attend a New Members Meeting
attend a subgroup meeting

2.6 Membership then recommends that the partner be made a provisional member of the Co-op. This should be AGREED at a Management Committee meeting and confirmed at a General Meeting of the Co-op. This is dependent on the Co-op member’s membership not being under review and the Co-op member not being in rent arrears.

3. Once the Partner is made a Provisional Member of the Co-Op

3.1 The partner will remain a provisional member for one year, subject to the partnership continuing. They will be required to join a sub-group and contribute to the Co-op in the same way as full members.

3.2 If within one year, the partnership breaks down, the partner’s provisional membership will be terminated.

3.3 While a provisional member, the partner will not be considered for individual transfer or housing by the Co-op.

4. After One Year

4.1. If the partnership is continuing, and the partner is meeting provisional membership requirements, Membership will recommend to Housing Management that the partner be made a full member of the Co-op and that the seal be put on their share certificate. This is dependent on the following conditions:

(a) the partnership is continuing
(b) the partner is meeting provisional membership requirements
(c) the Co-op member’s membership is not under review
(d) the Co-op member is not in rent arrears

4.2. Housing Management will arrange for a new Tenancy Agreement to be issued with the name of the partner added. The status of the partner does not change until the joint Tenancy Agreement is signed. If, for any reason the Tenancy Agreement is not signed, the partner loses their provisional membership.

Upon signing the new Tenancy Agreement, the partner simultaneously becomes a full member of the Co-op and a joint tenant of the property.

This should be AGREED at a Management Committee Meeting and confirmed at the next General Meeting of the Co-op. This is dependent on the Co-op member’s membership not being under review and the Co-op member not being in rent arrears.