Housing cooperative
A cooperative (or co-op), is a group of people who voluntarily join together in a jointly-owned and democratic enterprise with the aim of meeting their social and economic needs. A housing cooperative is a form of community-led housing that allows local communities play a central role in providing their own housing. By combining the resources of the members, their buying power can be leveraged, lowering the individual cost of the services and products relating to home ownership.
A housing cooperative is similar to a housing association, in that it is a legal entity which owns real estate, but differs in that it is managed by its tenants, either fully or the majority. Each member of the cooperative is granted the right to occupy one housing unit, acting as a share purchase in the legal entity.
The ethos behind housing cooperatives is that it enables members more control over their community housing and encourages greater cooperation with others.
Housing cooperatives are registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies at the Financial Services Authority (FSA). A registered cooperative can lease or purchase real estate which is then rented out to the members. The members pay rent to the cooperative, which acts as their landlord.
Generally, housing cooperatives can be categorised as either non-ownership (non-equity) cooperatives, whereby occupancy agreements often grant occupancy rights, similar to a lease; or ownership (equity) cooperatives, whereby purchase agreements often grant occupancy rights.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.