COCHF often receives phone calls from people living in a housing co-op who have a conflict or disagreement with their co-op. Every person’s voice matters and all complaints should be dealt with, but only through the appropriate channels in your co-op.

While COCHF cannot provide legal advice or represent a co-op member who has a disagreement with their housing co-op, we can provide assistance to individuals seeking resources available publicly.  It is important to stress that our federation cannot take sides in a conflict within your housing co-op.  COCHF is a federation of housing co-operatives, and our services & assistance are provided only at the request of the co-op’s Board of Directors.  COCHF is not a government agency and has no authority over the operations of your co-op.

If you are experiencing a problem within your housing co-op, we suggest you first look at your co-op’s Occupancy and Organizational By-law(s), in addition to internal policies that are relevant to the situation in question.  The best approach to resolve a conflict is to clarify what your obligations are as a member and the co-op’s obligations to you. If you do not have these documents you should ask for copies at your co-op’s office. You may also find useful to see a copy of the Co-operative Corporations Act, the legislation governing the operations of all co-ops in Ontario.  Ask at your co-op’s office and/or we welcome you to contact our office to learn more.

To learn more about the mandate of Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation, click here.

There are different types of co-operatives that exist to serve the needs of the members.  In the case of housing co-operatives, members have certain rights & responsibilities to help support a positive community-building process.  There are 7 principle upon which co-operatives all around the world are based upon – what do these principles mean to individuals living in housing co-operatives?  To download a sheet developed by the ON Co-op Association that explains each co-operative principle in plain language, click here.

Important Notes to Remember: 

1. Co-ops have bylaws that every member possesses has rights & responsibilities to follow.
2. Co-ops have general meetings where each member has a voice – there are benefits from approaching housing this way.
3. The co-op business model is unique because there is an opportunity to educate members in a positive way

In June 2014, a new eviction system was introduced in Ontario that moved most co-op evictions from the courts to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), which is one of the eight tribunals that make up Social Justice Tribunals Ontario (SJTO).  Read more.

The LTB provides information about its practices and procedures and the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under the Residential Tenancies Act.