Waiting List Policy

Recruiting new members from outside the Co-op

New members can join the Co-op:

• As an adult child or a partner (see Adult Children of Co-op Members Policy; Partners Policy)
• From the waiting list, held by Membership (see Waiting List Policy)
• If there is a true void, not required by any of the above, a nominee recommended by Lambeth or a refuge, homeless or disability charity. Several candidates should be interviewed.

A priority for acceptance is that new members must be willing to participate in the Co-op. An induction, such as a ‘twinning system’ will be organised.

Waiting List Policy:

The Co-op shall maintain a waiting list for the following categories of people:

• Children of Co-op members who are over 18 but have not previously lived in the Co-op.
• Other close relatives of members whether they have lived in the Co-op or not. ‘Close relatives’ are defined as ‘members of a person’s family’ in the Housing Act 1996 (section 143P). This will be used as a guideline only.
• Ex-members who wish to re-join (see Ex-members policy)
• External applicants who:

A. have a real stake in the close locality, specifically the local wards,

B. are on the London Borough of Lambeth’s Housing List.

In all cases applicants should be in genuine housing need.

The waiting list will be open to up to six people.

Those on the Waiting List should be informed that they must re-apply annually and up-date their circumstances, confirming that they are in housing need, on the Lambeth list and involved in the local area. If they do not re-apply they will be dropped off the list.

The operation of this policy will be reviewed annually.