Maintenance Bylaw #21

WOODSWORTH HOUSING COOPERATIVE, INC.

THE MAINTENANCE BY-LAW (No. 21)

Adopted 5 September 1979; renumbered from Schedule C of By-law #2 by By-law #18, 22 March 1990; amended by By-law #27, 19 September 1991; amended by By-law #36, 3 April 1995; consolidated September 2006; amended by By-law #63, 8 May, 2008; amended by By-law #64, 8 May, 2008; amended by By-law #66, 29 Sept 2009;
amended by By-law #68, 29 Sept 2009. Consolidated up to April 2010 and adopted by the members on September 30, 2010.

Intro
1. Fees
2. Common Area Maintenance – Interior and Exterior
3. Unit Maintenance
(a) Painting and Wallpapering
(b) Windows
(c) Floor Coverings
(d) Appliances
(e) Plumbing
(f) Electrical
(g) Heating
4. Exterior Private Areas
(a) Yards
(b) Fences
(c) Front Entrance
5. Health And Safety
(a) Garbage
(b) Hazards
(c) Pest Control
6. Improvements By Members
7. Move-Outs And Move-Ins
(a) Move-outs
(b) Move-Ins
8. Inspections

Each member of the Co-op is responsible for the maintenance and care of Co-op property. This policy is intended to outline such proper care, while stating the responsibilities of both the Co-op and the individual member in keeping the units and property a pleasant place to live.

1. Fees

(a) Wherever mentioned in this schedule, a fee shall consist of a charge equal to the cost price of materials plus a charge for the cost of labour.

(b) The Co-op, at its discretion, may waive or reduce fees or repair requirements where the personal situation of a member so warrants (e.g. financial hardship, poor health, physical handicap, etc.)

(c) All damage caused by the negligence of a member (or by the household or guests of a member) will be the member’s responsibility. The Co-op will charge a fee to the member to carry out repairs or replacements necessitated by such damage.

(d) A lockout charge for opening units outside office hours may be levied.

(e) A maintenance Deposit will be paid by all members. The amount of this deposit will be set by the Members.

(f) There will be a fine for unauthorized alterations to units, and the member may be required to return the unit to its previous state or pay the cost of doing so.

2. Common Area Maintenance – Interior and Exterior

(a) The Co-op is responsible for regular maintenance and periodic redecoration of all interior common areas (e.g. apartment building lobby, corridors and hallways, elevators, stairways, laundry rooms, etc.)

(b) The Co-op is responsible for maintaining and servicing all common mechanical systems and equipment (e.g. elevators, laundry room appliances, domestic hot water systems, main electrical panels and switch gear, etc.).

(c) The Co-op is responsible for regular testing of all safety systems.

(d) The Co-op will have the garbage room and garbage chutes sprayed regularly for pests.

(e) The Co-op will maintain the notice boards.

(f) The Co-op will regularly inspect and maintain all exterior common areas (e.g. outside drains, wails, roofs).

(g) The Co-op is responsible for all exterior painting.

(h) The Co-op is responsible for removal of snow from city sidewalks, the apartment building entrance area and all common walkways.

(i) The Co-op is responsible for gardening and grounds-keeping in common areas.

(j) The Co-op is responsible for all exterior window cleaning.

 3. Unit Maintenance

(a) Painting and Wallpapering

i) Members must follow the rules outlined in the Paint and Paper Policy when painting or wallpapering.

ii) Members are responsible for painting their own units. The Co-op will cover the cost of sufficient paint to repaint according to the Paint Policy. Where a member is physically unable to carry out the painting, the Co-op may provide assistance.

 (b) Windows

 i) The Co-op will replace all broken windows and torn screens. The member may be required to pay the cost.

(c) Floor Coverings

See also:  Floor Covering Policy

i) The Co-op is responsible for maintaining the urethane finish on hardwood floors.

 ii) Carpets installed by members must be installed in such a way as not to cause permanent damage.

 iii) Carpeting installed by the Co-op will be replaced by the Co-op when worn.

 (d) Appliances

 i) Appliances and their accessories that are the property of the Co-op may only be replaced by the member with written permission from the Co-op.

 ii) The Co-op will maintain the appliances which are the property of the Co-op in working order.

 (e) Plumbing

 i) Members must report leaks or other problems to the Co-op as soon as detected. The Co-op will carry out all plumbing repairs.

 ii) lf a clogged toilet cannot be fixed with a plunger, the member must contact the Co-op.

 iii) Winter draining and turning off of the exterior faucets in the townhouses is the responsibility of the member.

 (f) Electrical

 i) Prior approval for alterations or additions to electrical circuits must be obtained from the Co-op.

ii) Repairs to the unit electrical system will be carried out by the Co-op.

(g) Heating

i) Gas furnaces and domestic hot water tanks (in the townhouses) will be maintained by the Co op.

ii) The electric heating system in the apartments will be maintained by the Co-op.

4. Exterior Private Areas

(a) Yards

i) Members are responsible for reasonable maintenance of their yards.

ii) Members may not keep livestock in yards or allow refuse to accumulate in yards.

iii) Back gates must remain accessible to allow for entry by utility meter readers.

(b) Fences

 i) Painting and staining of fences, gates, and outside wooden steps may be done only by the Co-op in order to maintain a uniform appearance. The cost will be borne by the Co-op.

 ii)  The Co-op will repair damaged fences. A fee will be charged if damaged by neglect or abuse.

(c) Front Entrance

i) Members in the townhouses and midrise ground floor apartments are responsible for the maintenance of the front entrance area, including snow removal and removal of rubbish. Each front entrance area extends from the exterior wall of the unit up to and including the City sidewalk in front of the unit. Units that share the same front walkway are mutually responsible for the City sidewalk that extends along the frontage of their townhouse stack. The front of each unit and City sidewalks shall be maintained in accordance with City of Toronto By-laws and/or guidelines.

 5. Health And Safety

(a) Garbage

 i) Garbage must be disposed of according to the Household recycling, organic wastes and garbage policy.

(b) Hazards

i) Members must not store flammable materials in their units (e.g. gasoline, oil, large quantities of paint).

 ii) Members must not permit anything to block fire exits, stairs, and corridors, or public thoroughfares.

iii) Smoke detectors must not be disconnected or painted.

(c) Pest Control

i) In the event of a serious bug problem in a building, the Co-op will have the right to order the spraying of the whole building.

ii) Should members be incapable of preparing for the spraying, the Co-op will provide assistance. A fee may be charged.

 6. Improvements By Members

See also: Maintenance Renovation Bylaw

(a) Members will be individually responsible for the cost of improvements or alterations to their units.

(b) Fixtures in place are the property of the Co-op.

(c) Replacing or refinishing floor coverings, with the exception of laying a carpet, may be done only with permission from the Co-op.

(d) Major structural changes, such as moving or adding walls, installing additional plumbing, etc., must have prior written approval of the Co-op and must meet all building regulations. Alterations that would reduce the number of rooms will not be permitted. Permanent improvements and alterations, including installation of additional wall coverings (e.g. stucco, tiles, paneling) and built-in furniture may be made only with the prior written approval of the Co-op.

(e) Alterations/renovations approved by the Co-op and undertaken by a member remain the permanent property of the Co-op.

(f) Upon termination of Occupancy no compensation will be given for said alteration/renovation.

 7. Move-Outs And Move-Ins

See also:  Move-out Bylaw

(a) Move-outs

i) Upon a member giving notice of move-out, as specified by the By-laws, an inspection of that member’s unit will be carried out by the Co-op within fifteen (15) days.

ii) On completion of the inspection, the Co-op will provide the member with a list of repairs required (if any) to bring the unit up to a condition which, in the Co-op’s opinion, is reasonable.

iii) The member will have thirty (30) days in which to complete the repairs at which time a second inspection will be carried out by the Co-op.

iv) Money on deposit will not be refunded until after the Co-op has received vacant possession of the unit.

v) The deposit may be applied against the cost of repairs or heavy cleaning if required.

 (b) Move-Ins

i) On move-in, a unit inspection will be carried out by the Co-op in the presence of the new member. A report on the condition of the unit will be signed by both the new member and the Co-op.

ii) The Co-op is responsible for supplying paint for any approved repainting. The painting must comply with the Painting and Wallpapering Policy, as well as Section 3 UNIT MAINTENANCE, subsection (a) Painting and Wallpapering.

 8. Inspections

(a) Each unit will be inspected regularly by the Co-op, as per the Inspections Policy.

 (b) The Co-op will be responsible for giving two weeks’ advance notice of the inspection. The member will be notified of the date(s) of the inspection and that the inspector(s) will enter their unit between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of that day. In order to carry out the inspections expeditiously, the Coop cannot specify the exact hour between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. that the inspection will be done in any particular unit.

Consolidated up to April 2010 and adopted by the members on September 30, 2010.


See this guide about bylaws and policies relating to unit condition:  Moving into and around Woodsworth

Changes to Woodsworth’s On-call System: Announcement

Woodsworth Housing Co-op

Board of Directors October 21, 2022


Since 1980, Woodsworth’s onsite On-call System has been an integral part of the Co-op’s off-hours operations. The changes we are making now will ensure that this invaluable service will continue to operate on-site.

On-call responds to emergency maintenance, medical, safety and security telephone calls from Co-op members. They also carry out routine nightly safety and security checks of Co-op grounds, and provide access to Co-op property, including unit lock- outs. Under the new system these tasks will continue to be performed by On-call.

What is changing?

•  Effective November 30th, Woodsworth will no longer employ and make payments to On-call members. Furthermore, starting on December 1st On-call members will be employed by, and will report to our property management company.

•  Homestarts has its own Manager’s Answering Service, and we are combining our own On-call system with theirs. Going forward, Homestarts will manage and oversee the new integrated system.

•  Current On-call members, as well as all other residents from the community, will be eligible to apply for the new On-call positions. More information, on how to apply, will be available soon.

•  In the future, should the Board of Directors decide to hire a different management company, oversight of the co-op’s on-site on-call services would be part of the new management contract.

Why?

There are two big reasons for handing over responsibility to our management company.

1]  On-call payments are not honorariums and On-call members are not volunteers. They are permanent co-op employees who are issued T4s by Revenue Canada. CPP and EI are deducted from their paycheques, and the co-op pays vacation pay to them, as required by law. This has been the case for several years.

The current situation is untenable. Under our Occupancy Bylaw #82, Woodsworth members are prohibited from being permanent employees of the co-op.

2]  The second reason is that the Board of Directors is responsible for governing the affairs of the co-op, but it does not manage the co-op or its staff. A volunteer board which meets bi-weekly simply cannot oversee and manage the work of the On-call employees.

The after-hours emergency response system is vital to the co-op, and it requires accountability and oversight. This is especially true given that it costs over $25,000 per year to run it. Sadly, the Board has not been able to provide the necessary oversight.

Is the new On-call system compatible with our bylaws?

Yes, the new system is allowed under Occupancy Bylaw #82. While section 17.4 (a) states, “a permanent employee of the co-op cannot be a member of the co-op,” an exception is given in Section 17.4 (b) which says that (a) does not apply to members “who are employed by the management company or another contractor of the co-op.”

Will the new on-call system be different from the old system?

No, the new system will essentially remain the same. The On-call telephone number will be the same. The On-call system will continue to be made up of residents from the co-op community.

The tasks performed will be the same. These are listed in the new Woodsworth On-call Guideline. The guideline will be posted on the co-op website, and the Bylaw & Policies Binder located in the outer Office. It is also being published in next week’s issue of The Weekly.

What will be different?

The biggest difference will be that the system will be more transparent and accountable. But we’ve also added two new important tasks:

Accommodation: in situations where a member is unable to fill out a Work Order, the On-call member will complete it on their behalf.

Community check-ins: during off hours, when a family member, friend, or neighbour is worried about a member’s safety or well-being, they can phone On-call who will check in on them; and when there is a co-op wide emergency, On-call will check in on a list of members who may require assistance.

What happens next?

Any resident interested in doing paid On-call shifts should contact the Office for more information.

Woodsworth residents who need On-call services will continue to call the same telephone number as before – (416) 809-7851 (Evenings after 5pm & weekends only)

Every co-op household will soon receive an Emergency Numbers fridge magnet which provides clear information to members about who to contact in case of an emergency. The fridge magnet includes the On-call number.

NOTE: As of January 2023, the On-Call phone number is (877) 858-1110 ‬extension 4

GUIDELINES:
https://www.woodsworthcoop.ca/index.php/on-call-service-guideline/