 How to join
Current applications
In our recent recruitment phase we filled the last 6 of 24 full member spaces, and started a waiting pool. We ARE still accepting applications because we anticipate that we may build more homes than this, and that there will be some turnover of households. Applicants will be considered for the waiting pool, then households will be selected from the waiting pool when we need to recruit more full member households.
Membership Forms
 Prospective membership application form (187Kb)
Full membership application form (26Kb) (Please use this form for a waiting pool application)
We have three types of membership of the Cohousing Company
Prospective membership is for households who wish to be involved but are not ready to become full members. Households can join by filling in our application form. There will be an annual membership fee of £30. Prospective members can:
- attend General Meetings (but not vote)
- join in events e.g. a trip to an existing cohousing project, social events
- be involved in planning e.g. in design of houses
- read the draft budget and business plan
- be kept informed of progress
We will ask these members to answer the following questions:
Do you have £5K available for the initial payment?
Which size and style of home would you choose?
Do you have 30% of the projected cost of the home that you would choose?
Do you have any connections with landowners or potential professional contractors?
Have you read our vision? residents handbook?
Do you share our vision?
Do you think you are most limited financially by
- how much you can borrow?
- how much deposit you have?
- the size of mortgage repayments you can afford?
- other (please specify)?
Full membership is for households who have committed to the project subject to agreement about the site. We now have 24 full member households. As we do not know whether we will build more homes than this current applicants are being considered for the waiting pool (see below).
An investment loan of £5K is paid by households on becoming full members. This was chosen because it shows a firm commitment, and the Co-op bank require that a £5K investment has been paid on at least half the homes. Members will also need to show evidence that they are in a position to put down a 30% deposit. For more information see the financial procedures section of the residents handbook.
Full members of the company will be able to vote (by household). On joining members will choose their home type, and members joining early in the project will have higher priority in plot choice.
Full members are also asked to sign a Pre sale agreement
Waiting Pool membership is for households who wish to become full members if a vacancy becomes available.
The application process for the waiting pool is the same as for full membership. Applicants should fill in the full membership application, and this will be considered at a General meeting within 3 months.
Please note the following
- Applicants should have attended a social before their application goes to a General meeting.
- If you are applying to be a full/waiting pool member please also send a prospective membership form and £30 (if you haven't already).
- A month after being accepted for the waiting pool you'll be asked for an interest free loan of £500
- We particularly welcome families and under 30's (to ensure an intergenerational mix)
- If more homes do become available we will fill them by the latest at the end of phase 4 recruitment, and the latest date for this will be a week after we sign the construction contract.
For more information see the policy here
For more information on joining, please send an email to join@lancastercohousing.org.uk with your details.
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