LEGAL REGISTRATION OF NEW CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETIES
The National Association of Building Co-operatives provides the standard model Rules for registration of a new co-operative housing society under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1893 - 1978.
The registration procedure, as administered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, provides limited liability status and is traditionally used by bona fide co-operatives for legal incorporation.
The adoption of the NABCo standard Rules by a co-operative housing society reduces the cost of legal formation and registration.
The Rules have stated objects or aims concerned with the relief of housing needs and the provision and management of housing for community benefit. Based on the co-operative principles, the Rules provide a legal constitution for membership, management committee, meetings, voting, statutory duties and the governance of a co-operative housing society.
The Association provides advice and guidance about the legal registration procedures and the duties arising therefrom. This includes consideration of the resources required for the viability of a housing co-operative, the purposes envisaged for its operation and the ongoing management and financial accounting responsibilities involved, prior to the application for registration.
Consideration may also be given to the avoidance of organisational duplication and overhead costs if there is an existing co-operative housing society already operating in the same area which can undertake new projects.
The standard Rules provided by NABCo for the registration of a co-operative housing society also meet the requirements for applications to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in order to seek approved status under the Housing Legislation.
INFORMATION, ADVICE AND TRAINING
Advisory Talks
The National Association of Building Co-operatives provides information and advisory talks to assist study groups
~ considering the formation of a housing co-operative;
~ interested in the role, organisation, activity and development of the Co-operative Housing Movement.
Training Programme
NABCo conducts an education and training programme for members of management committees/boards of directors, managers/secretaries, staff and others interested in co-operative housing. The Programme consists of short modular courses dealing with
- Co-operative Housing Society Organisation and Management
- Development of Co-operative Housing
- Management, Caretaking, Repair and Maintenance of Co-operative Housing
The programme is focussed on enhancing the participants’ practical knowledge of the sector, competencies in the management of co-operative housing societies, the commissioning of co-operative housing development projects and the ongoing delivery and management of quality housing services for member/users.
Information and Guildance Support for Affiliated Housing Co-operatives
NABCo assists affiliated co-operative housing societies with
- Delivery of Advance Information and Familiarisation/Training Programmes for applicants seeking membership in new co-operative housing developments.
- Preparation of Handbooks of Information, Policies and Procedures, providing guidelines and standards for co-operative management, governance, administration and housing services.
- Guidance for financial accounting, staff employment and member/customer care.
HOUSING MANAGEMENT AND RENT ACCOUNTING
The Association provides a Co-operative Housing Integrated Computer Software (CHICS) programme to enable affiliated co-operative housing societies to operate an accurate system for recording members’ rent accounts, issue of rent account statements and related housing stock management and maintenance information.
Arrangements have also been made for the bulk purchase of insurance requirements within the co-operative housing sector at advantageous premium costs. Co-operation between co-operatives has provided the means to develop other shared services for the benefit of affiliated member co-operatives.