Spruce Housing Co-operative 9282 121 Street, Surrey BC V3V 7K8 Ph: (604) 581-6070 / Fax: (604) 582-8937 Email: sprucehoco@shaw.ca In order for you to better understand what it means to be a part of a co-op please take the time to read the following information before submitting your application so that you can make a more informed decision as to whether co-op living is a suitable lifestyle for your family. Please detach pages 1 & 2 for your own records. About Co-operative Living: The people who live in the co-op are it s members; members decide the planning and day-to-day management of the co-op by serving on committees with various responsibilities, such as new member selection, maintenance and grounds keeping. Each year members elect from among the membership a Board of Directors to run the co-op; co-op members make the rules, set the policies, approve the budgets and do most of the work involved in running and maintaining the co-op, within the guidelines of the Rules and Policies. The units in the co-op are not individually owned; the co-op owns the buuildings and property and the members lease their units from the co-op. Instead of rent members pay a monthly housing charge that is based on actual operating costs. Members have the right to continue to live in the co-op for as long as they choose, providing they follow the obligations of membership. Information for the Applicants: Spruce Housing Co-operative has 101 housing units consisting of 2 apartment buildings and 45 townhouses. Unit Size Housing Charge 1 Bedroom Apartment (including handicap) $ 710.00 2 Bedroom Apartment (Including handicap) $ 880.00 2 Bedroom Townhouse (Upper/Lower) $ 906.00 2 Bedroom Townhouse $ 961.00 3 Bedroom Townhouse $1,086.00 4 Bedroom Townhouse $1,208.00 The above housing charges represents full market value; subsidized housing is not available at this time. Monthly housing charges cover operating expenses of the property and mortgage payments. Members are responsible for their own hydro, cable and telephone.
- 2 Shares: Shares must be purchased and an occupancy agreement signed to secure the right to move in; shares are $1,500 for apartments and $2,000 for townhouses and are payable prior to occupancy. Upon leaving the co-op, shares are refundable at face value (less any debt or repair costs owing to the co-op). Insurance: Members are required to obtain tenant insurance and must show proof of this insurance annually; insurance must be purchased prior to occupancy of any unit. Pets: Two pets (cats and/or dogs) per unit are permitted in the co-op and members are expected to abide by rules and regulations of the pet policy. Cats and dogs must be spayed or neutered and shots must be kept up to date. All dogs must be licenses with the City of Surrey; cats must be kept indoors; any pets out of doors must be leased at all times. Member Responsibility: The co-op is an independent organization run by the members and annually elected Board of Directors; various member committees assist the Board in running the co-op, ie: maintenance, membership, social, etc. All adult members are expected to attend the general meets held every 2 months, as well as serve on a committee of their choice, which also holds monthly meetings. You must agreet to 6 (six) hours of participation per month. The co-op expects responsible active members who will abide by the Rules of Association, Occupancy Agreement and Policies. Failure to comply with the rules and policies or failure to attend general meetings may result in membership review by the Board of Directors. Applications: Applicants must submit a completed application form prior to consideration for membership; incomplete applications will not be accepted. Representatives of the Membership Committee will interview potential members; references and credit checks will be required and at the time of the interview a $20.00 non-refundable processing fee for a credit check will be required. Once we have received your application we will review it to determine if you will be placed on our waiting list. Applications will remain on the waiting list for 6 months; it is the applicant s responsibility to notify the co-op every 6 months if you wish to remain on the waiting list, otherwise your application will be removed. Do you want to become a member of Spruce Housing Co-operative?: Are you able and willing to commit your time and skills to community living? Are you able to meet the financial obligations of the share purchase, insurance and monthly housing charge?
- 3 - Are you able to provide references and confirmation of your monthly income? Please take the time to consider if co-op living is suitable for you and your family. We look forward to receiving your application. When you come for your interview you are required to provide the following documents in a separate, sealed envelope to show proof of income and to undergo a credit check to ensure eligibiity. We will require your previous year s Notice of Assessment and one of the following: - 4 current and consecutive pay slips that show your gross income and pay periods; and/or - Copies of all pensions you are receiving; and/or - A copy of your most recent Human Resources Benefits statement; and/or - If self employed, a copy of your most recent income tax submission that includes your Statement of Business income and deductions. Please note that only one person per household becomes the Master member; if there is a spouse/partner, then they can apply for an Associate Membership for a $10.00 fee after being accepted by the co-op. Thank you for your interest in Spruce Housing Co-operative.
- 4 Part 1 Household Information: Please note that only one person per household becomes the Master Member; if there is a spouse/significant other, then they can apply for an Associate Membership at a later date for a $10.00 non-refundable fee after being accepted by the co-op. Please Print: Applicant s full name: Birth Date: Yr /Mo /Day Address: City: Postal Code Phone No: Work No.: Cell No.: Current Landlord s name, address and phone number: How long at your current address? Please list 2 previous addresses with landlord s name and phone number if less than 5 years at above address: Previous Address: Landlord s Name & Phone No. How Long At This Address? Please give details of other family members or persons that will be residing with you: Name: Relationship to Applicant: Birth Date: Type of accommodation applying for: 1 bdr. apartment: _ 1 bdr. handicap apartment: _ 2 bdr. apartment: _ 2 bdr. handicap apartment: _ 2 bdr. townhouse: _ 2 bdr. handicap townhouse:_ 3 bdr. townhouse: _ 4 bdr. townhouse: _ Please Note: Our housing poicy states that no less than one person per bedroom and no more than 2 people per bedroom are allowed. Do you, or does anyone in your family have any health problems that would affect your housing needs that we should be aware of: Do you have pets? Yes No How many and what type How many vehicles do you have?
- 5 Part 2 Participation: Have you ever lived in a housing co-op before? Yes No If yes, which one? Name Phone No. Please indicate 3, in order of preference, of the following committees that you would like to volunteer for: Administration Building Major Projects Membership Internal Relations Participation Block Watch Social Committee Children s Committee Grounds Keeping Gardening Play Ground Maintenance Grass Cutting Grounds Maintenance Fire Captian Community Hall Community Wellness Committee Maintenance Painting Handyman Carpentry Plumbing Electrical Administration Exterior Buildings Maintenance Renovation and Repair Committee Newsletter Phoning Committee Finance Committee Rules and Policies Committee Emergency Preparedness Committee Security Notice Delivery I,, agree to volunteer a minimum of six (6) hours of my household s time per month on the committee(s) that I have indicated or as may be needed. Signature: Date:, 20 Why are you particularly interested in the committees that you have indicated? Do you have other skills/interests that you could contribute to the co-op? Is there any reason why you would not be able to meet the six (6) hour time commitment? Why do you want to live in a housing co-op?
- 6 Part 3 Financial Information: This information will be kept in the strictest confidence. Please ensure that you report all income from all sources (child tax credit is NOT to be included as income) Applicants Name Co-Applicants Name 3 rd Applicants Name 4 th Applicants Name
- 7 Part 4 The Privacy of Any Personal Information That Is Requested On This Appilcation: I/we understand that only members of Spruce Housing Co-operative may live in this co-op and apply for membership. I/we understand that if the co-op accepts me/us for membership and offers me/us a unit I/we must purchase shares in the co-op at a cost of $1,500/apartment and $2,000/townhouse for the master member and $10 for an associate member. I/we declare that all the information in this appliction is correct. I/we understand and agree that providing the co-op with false or misleading financial and/or personal information could result in termination or rejection of the application for membership. I/we give the co-op permission to verify any or all of this informtion, do a landlord and credit check. I/we agree that Spruce Housing Co-operative may keep the above information about me/us. All information provided on this application form, accompanying income documentation and credit check details. I /we agree this personal information may be made available to people in the following positions: Board of Directors, Auditor, CMHC and the Property Management Company. Name (Please Print): Applicant: Signature of anyone 19 years or older who will reside in the unit: Co-applicant: Other Family Member: For Office Use: