Our Process
Living in a housing cooperative is a little more intimate than your average dorm, apartment or shared house rental situation. Because of the uniqueness of cooperative living, there is a process more involved than you might be accustomed to. This helps current members get to know potential housemates and also gives you the opportunity to get a better understanding of what you are signing up for. Here’s what the process looks like:
- Fill out an application for the house you are interested in (links below). Please note that this involves giving POOCH permission to perform a background check and to contact former landlords and/or housemates.
- Give the house a call or email us to schedule a visit with the membership coordinator. This usually includes sharing a meal with the house. You’ll be given a tour and a chance to meet the current members, and have the opportunity ask any questions you might have about the living situation, logistics, and current culture of the co-op.
- You may then be invited back to the house for an interview. The exact timing will depend on current or anticipated vacancies. Each house has different policies regarding remote (e.g. Skype) interviews — the house’s membership coordinator will be able to fill you in on the details.
- The house will vote to decide whether they’d like to invite you to live with them, while abiding by all applicable fair-housing rules. If they approve you, congratulations!
- The membership coordinator will work with you to sign a lease, put down your deposit, and move in.
All houses use the same lease cycles:
- 2-month (June-July)
- 5-month (January-May)
- 7-month (January-July)
- 10-month (August-May)
- 12-month (August-July or June-May)
The only exceptions would be if someone were to move in during one of these lease cycles. End dates must fit within our normal turnover times.
