Cohousing is not for everyone. We are looking for people who have significant time and energy to give to the project. People who are more likely to thrive in cohousing projects are those who are open and able to hear others’ points of view, are comfortable with cooperative decision making, and willing to abide by group agreements. It is important to be open to learning when to speak up and take initiative, and when to listen and give others space. 

Members must understand and feel aligned to the vision and the eight questions that guide how we live and work together. If this sounds like you, and you would like to join our weekly meetings, which are currently taking place via zoom, please get in touch via email. There are three tiers of membership:

Friend

  • Anyone can become a friend, there are no costs and no obligations, just come to a meeting.

  • You will go on our mailing list to receive regular updates on progress.

  • Friends may attend some events  & may be invited to business meetings as an observer.

  • Friends membership is the starting point for becoming a full member of the community.

  • We would encourage friends who want to take things further to do their own research; there are many good publications on cohousing to read, other projects to visit and of course the internet.

Associate Member

  • Come to an orientation meeting / site visit, where we will go through more about how we work together and how to access all of our document.

  • This is the preliminary step to joining the project, by becoming an associate member you are saying that you are interested in moving into the project when the time comes. It allows for a period where you can find out more about us and we can learn about you.

  • You can attend meetings and join in the discussions. However if we are reaching a conclusion then you will not be part of the final decision making.

  • Being an Associate is not easy. You’re expected to commit time and emotional energy to a dream that might never come to fruition for you. 

Full Member

  • Once you become a full member you are on the same standing as the other full members. There is no hierarchy in our group so you will have the same responsibilities and standing as everyone else.

  • You will be expected to play a full part in the project. There is always lots to do - at present we are working on supporting the planning application, site maintenance including planting more trees and preparatory work for when planning comes through when we will have to appoint a contractor and raise finance for the property build.

  • Being a full member reserves a housing site until housing deposits are required, sites are reserved on a first come basis. In principle we would hope that everyone can get the house that they want, or if not as close as possible to what they want. We hope to be able to accommodate members who initially want to rent a property. When all sites are allocated then members will join a waiting list. 

  • There is a non refundable fee of £1000 per household to become members. Fees will be used towards developing the site, at the early stages that will largely be architects fees.

  • Members should understand that as with any development project there is a risk associated with it, the project may not go ahead for any number of reasons: Planning permission turned down, insufficient momentum to proceed, events beyond our control. In that case any contributions could be lost. However we are not asking new members to make a contribution towards the cost of the site.

  • At this stage we are raising capital from our members to cover the costs of architects and legal fees and the planning application plus a few sundry expenses. We have this covered but more contributions from new members would be welcome to share the load. Once planning approval comes through we will look to commercial loans for the construction capital.

  • Once the project does go ahead then any contribution plus interest that members have made will be offset against the purchase of their property.

Full members will normally have been associate members for three months or more and will have:

  • Acquainted themselves with all aspects of the Portaferry cohousing.

  • Familiarised themselves with Portaferry cohousing governance document.

  • Been an active member of one or more of the working groups.

  • Demonstrate the ability to finance their chosen unit and type of tenancy and commit to providing the necessary funding on time

  • They commit to contributing to the success of Portaferry cohousing and to dedicating time, skills and resources as necessary as the project develops.

Legal Structure

Portaferry Cohousing Ltd (a ‘company limited by guarantee’) has been formed, and an option to purchase the land has been agreed with the landowners. The company will own and develop the project, including the communal areas. The option agreement is legally-binding, and defines the land area to be transferred to the company and the price.

Members of the company will initially reserve a plot with a non-refundable deposit of £1,000. Members will be required to pay an additional construction deposit (estimated to be at least 10% of house price) to finance the construction. Members will own their own home freehold, with rights and obligations included in the freehold covenants. Long term, the company will continue to own and maintain the communal areas.

This is a simple, straightforward, low administration, and easily understood model, and is the most common legal structure for cohousing projects in the UK.

We will work with a solicitor to ensure the vision and aims of our group including co-operative values, are used to define the detail of the legal structures, including the provisions for rental properties and self-build.