Shareholder Rights, Responsibilities, and Advantages

Download

Being a shareholder in an HDFC co-op comes with unique rights, responsibilities, and privileges.

Governance

Shareholders have the right to . . .

Elect representatives to the board of directors at the annual shareholder meeting

Recall board members who are not doing their job (in accordance with the procedure outlined in the By-Laws)

Recommend amendments to their co-op documents or propose policy to the Board

Vote on proposed amendments to the By -Laws and proprietary lease

Meet with the board of Directors

Call special meetings in accordance with the procedure outlined in the By-Laws (10% of the shareholders are needed to call a special meeting)

Request shareholder education/training programs

Run for the board of Directors

Sublet their apartment with the approval of the board or 2/3 of the shareholders

Shareholders have the responsibility to . . .

Attend the annual meeting, and other important shareholder meetings

Vote competent representatives to the board of Directors

Take a turn serving on the Board, if elected

Know what is in the By-Laws and proprietary lease

Finance

Shareholders have the right to . . .

Receive an annual financial report

See the corporate books and records including board meeting minutes upon request, during business hours

Sell their shares

Receive equity and applicable profit upon the sale of shares

Shareholders have the responsibility to . . .

Pay their maintenance fees and any special assessments on time

Repair and maintenance

Shareholders have the right to . . .

A building that is well maintained

Basic services (such as heat, hot water, security, etc.)

Make alterations to their apartments, with the prior approval of the board of directors

Shareholders have the responsibility to . . .

Notify the board immediately if a hazardous condition exists in the building

Maintain and repair their apartments, according to the proprietary lease (shareholders are responsible for most things within their apartments, including appliances, ceilings, walls, floors, electrical and heating fixtures)

Social

Shareholders have the right to . . .

“Quiet enjoyment” of their apartments

Shareholders have the responsibility to . . .

Abide by the house rules

Live cooperatively with your neighbors

Advantages of Being a Shareholder

Security

Shareholders can remain in the co-op for as long as they like provided that they abide by the terms and

provisions of their proprietary lease.

Inheritance/Equity

Shareholders have an ownership interest (equity) in the co-op. They may transfer their lease and assign

their shares to a Spouse without asking for the Board’s consent. The board or shareholders “may not

unreasonably withhold consent to assignment of the lease and the transfer of shares to a financially

responsible member of the shareholder’s family. (proprietary lease 5.05 ii B)

Control over Building Mgmt.

Shareholders annually elect a board of directors to represent their interests in how the building should be

managed. The board as their representatives screen and approve new shareholders.

$ Cost control

Shareholders can keep costs down in their building by doing tasks themselves (i.e. super’s duties,

management) and implementing energy and water conservation techniques.

Lifestyle

Shareholders live cooperatively with their neighbors. They really come to know the people in their building by working together to resolve issues that affect everyone’s quality of life.

Networking

Shareholders can join forces with other co-ops to get the best possible goods at the lowest possible price.

They can also share resources such as information on good attorneys, contractors, handypeople etc.

Shareholders also have a greater ability to effect political change as a group than they do as individuals.

Education

Shareholders learn how co-ops work. They serve on the board of directors and chair committees. They can attend conferences and training classes that help them run the building more effectively.

Related Resources

Sample Proprietary Lease

This is a sample of the proprietary lease of of an HDFC cooperative. Proprietary leases are part of your cooperative’s governing documents.

Calling a Special Meeting of Shareholders

A special meeting allows shareholders to remove the current board of directors and elect a new board.

Healthy Co-op Checklist

Learn the signs of a healthy, well-functioning HDFC