Co-operative Housing Societies Regulations 2005
i
Co-operative Housing Societies Regulations 2005
S.R. No. 3/2005
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation Page
1. Objective 1
2. Authorising provisions 1
3. Commencement 1
4. Revocation 1
5. Definitions 2
6. Application for registration 2
7. Certificate of incorporation 2
8. Change of name of a society 2
9. New certificate of incorporation on change of name 2
10. Advertisement of change of name 2
11. Certificate of incorporation on merger 3
12. Registered office 3
13. Keeping of registers and accounts 3
14. List of members 3
15. Model rules 3
16. Registration of alteration of rules 4
17. Fee for directors appointed by Treasurer 4
18. Minutes of meetings 4
19. Maximum amount of fees to officers other than directors 5
20. Maximum amount of fees to directors 8
21. Security to be provided by officers 9
22. Valuator's report 9
23. Security for fulfilment of the duties of a liquidator 9
24. Fees for liquidator 10
25. Treasurer's indemnity agreements 11
__________________
SCHEDULES 12
SCHEDULE 1—Forms 12
Form 1—Application to register a society 12
Form 2—Certificate of incorporation 13
Form 3—Certificate of incorporation 14
Form 4—Certificate of incorporation 14
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Regulation Page
ii
Form 5—Application to register office of society 15
Form 6—Notice of change of address of registered office 16
Form 7—Full list of members 17
Form 8—Application to register a special resolution 18
Form 9—Verification of valuator's report 20
SCHEDULE 2—Matters to be Set Out in the Registers 21
SCHEDULE 3—Model Rules for Co-operative Housing Societies 24
APPENDIX 1—Particulars of Society 66
APPENDIX 2—Fees and Charges 67
═══════════════
ENDNOTES 71
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1
STATUTORY RULES 2005
S.R. No. 3/2005
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
Co-operative Housing Societies Regulations 2005
The Governor in Council makes the following Regulations:
Dated: 18 January 2005
Responsible Minister:
JOHN BRUMBY
Treasurer
DIANE CASEY
Clerk of the Executive Council
1. Objective
The objective of these Regulations is to prescribe
fees, forms, model rules and other matters
required for the purposes of the Co-operative
Housing Societies Act 1958.
2. Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 8(6),
8(8), 9(4), 9(5), 9(6), 36(4), 39(1), 39(3), 41(3),
45(1), 47(2), 47(3), 49(6), 52, 53(2), 53(3), 58(3),
59(6), 77(1) and 98 of the Co-operative Housing
Societies Act 1958.
3. Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on
1 February 2005.
4. Revocation
The Co-operative Housing Societies Regulations
19951 are revoked.
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5. Definitions
In these Regulations—
"Act" means the Co-operative Housing
Societies Act 1958;
"Form" means a form in Schedule 1;
"GST" has the same meaning as it has in the
A New Tax System (Goods and Services
Tax) Act 1999 of the Commonwealth.
6. Application for registration
Every application for the registration of a society
must be lodged with the Registrar in Form 1.
7. Certificate of incorporation
Every certificate of incorporation of a society
under the Act, except a certificate issued under
section 9(5) or section 12(2), must be in Form 2.
8. Change of name of a society
The time within which a society must notify the
Registrar of a proposed change of name is
1 month after the passage of the special resolution
to change the name.
9. New certificate of incorporation on change of name
Every new certificate of incorporation issued
consequent on the change of name of a society
must be in Form 3.
10. Advertisement of change of name
Within 30 days after registration of a change of
name a society must cause the change of name to
be advertised in a newspaper circulating generally
in Victoria.
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11. Certificate of incorporation on merger
Every certificate of incorporation of a society
issued following a merger of societies must be in
Form 4.
12. Registered office
(1) Every application to register the office of a society
must be lodged with the Registrar in duplicate in
Form 5.
(2) The Registrar must register the office of a society
by an appropriate entry in the register of societies.
(3) Every notice of any change of address of the
registered office must be in duplicate in Form 6
and must be registered by the Registrar.
13. Keeping of registers and accounts
(1) Every society must keep the registers and
accounts that will enable it to compile a balance
sheet and financial accounts for each accounting
period and, in particular, must keep—
(a) the registers required to be kept by
section 39(2) of the Act;
(b) a register of withdrawals and forfeitures;
(c) a register of share transfers.
(2) The registers must contain the matters set out in
Schedule 2.
14. List of members
Every list of members furnished to the Registrar
under section 41(3) of the Act must be in Form 7.
15. Model rules
For the purposes of section 45 of the Act, the
model rules for a society are set out in Schedule 3.
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16. Registration of alteration of rules
(1) Every application for registration and certification
of any special resolution altering the rules of a
society must be made in duplicate in Form 8.
(2) The application must be accompanied by a copy
of the notice convening the meeting at which the
special resolution was passed.
17. Fee for directors appointed by Treasurer
A director appointed under section 49(2) of the
Act who is not an officer of the public service
may be paid a fee not exceeding $35 with respect
to each meeting of the board and general meeting
of the society that he or she attends.
18. Minutes of meetings
(1) At every meeting of a society, board and any
committee, the secretary or other person deputed
for the purpose by the board must take minutes of
the proceedings and record them in the
appropriate minute book.
(2) The minutes of every meeting of a society, board
and any committee must record the date and place
of the meeting, the attendees of the meeting, the
matters discussed at the meeting, the decisions
made at the meeting and the action required to be
taken as a consequence of the meeting.
(3) The minutes of every meeting must be taken into
consideration as the first business of the next
general meeting of the society or next meeting of
the board or committee (as the case may be) and
must be signed after confirmation by the
Chairperson of the meeting at which they are
confirmed.
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(4) No motion or discussion with respect to the
minutes, save one with respect to their accuracy as
a record of the proceedings of which they purport
to be a record and the motion to confirm the
minutes, may be moved or had.
19. Maximum amount of fees to officers other than
directors
(1) Subject to sub-regulations (2), (3) and (4) the
maximum amount which may be paid in any
financial year by a society to its officers, other
than directors, including all expenses, is an
amount equal to 0·9% of the average total assets
of the society for that financial year.
(2) The total amount paid is to be reduced by any
amount paid by the society under contractual
arrangements with any person who is not an
officer of the society for payment for the
provision of assets, facilities or services utilised
by any officer of the society.
(3) The total amount paid is to be increased by an
amount equal to the amount (if any) of GST
payable on the supplies to which the total amount
paid relates.
(4) If the total amount of a society's management
expenses for a year exceeds its management
income for that year, the amount by which the
management expenses exceed the management
income must be deducted from the total amount of
fees paid to the society's officers, other than
directors, for that year.
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(5) At the Annual General Meeting of a society, the
members must determine the basis upon which the
average total assets of the society in respect of that
financial year will be calculated. The members
must elect to adopt one of the two methods for
calculation of "average total assets" of the
society in respect of a financial year set out in
sub-regulation (6).
(6) The alternative methods for the calculation of the
"average total assets" of a society are—
(a) the sum of the society's total assets less paid
up share capital as reported in the audited
balance sheet of the society as at the end of
the financial year and the society's total
assets less paid up share capital as reported
in the audited balance sheet of the society as
at the end of the previous financial year,
divided by two;
(b) the sum of the society's total assets less paid
up share capital as reported to the board in
quarterly management accounts (which are
to be in the same format as the annual
financial statements of the society) as at each
quarter end during the financial year, divided
by four, provided that if the total assets and
paid up share capital in the management
accounts for the fourth quarter are not
identical to the amounts for the
corresponding items in the audited financial
statements for the financial year, the figure
for total assets and paid up share capital
reported in the audited balance sheet of the
society as at the end of the financial year
must be used instead of the figures in the
fourth quarter management accounts.
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(7) In this regulation—
"management expenses", in relation to a society
in respect of a financial year, means the total
sums which have been paid or are payable by
the society in respect of that financial year
on account of—
(i) fees payable to officers, other than
directors, and amounts referred to in
sub-regulation (2) (if any);
(ii) directors' fees;
(iii) audit fees;
(iv) supervision levy;
(v) bank charges including loan
establishment fees, annual fees and
bank accounts debit tax (unless
recovered from borrowers of the
society);
(vi) subscriptions to industry bodies for the
society and the directors;
(vii) conference and seminar expenses of
directors;
(viii) directors' liability insurance expenses;
"management income", in relation to a society
in respect of a financial year, means the total
sums which have been received or are
receivable by the society in respect of that
financial year on account of—
(i) management fees, transfer fees,
entrance fees, withdrawal fees,
insurance commission; and
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(ii) other fees and charges designated as
management income in the rules of the
society—
but does not include the net interest margin
earned by the society during the year.
20. Maximum amount of fees to directors
(1) Subject to sub-regulation (3), the maximum
amount of fees which in respect of its first
financial year may be paid by a society to its
directors is the amount equal to 0·025% of the
total net liability of borrowing members as at the
end of the society's financial year, to be paid
pro-rata according to the number of months in that
first financial year.
(2) Subject to sub-regulation (3), the maximum
amount of fees which in respect of its second
financial year or subsequent financial years may
be paid by a society to its directors is the amount
equal to 0·05% of the—
(a) total net liability of borrowing members; or
(b) in the case of societies acting under
section 33A of the Act, the total outstanding
loan balances which have been or are being
facilitated or managed by the society—
as at the date of the last audited balance sheet of
the society.
(3) The amount referred to in sub-regulations (1) and
(2) is to be increased by an amount equal to the
amount (if any) of GST payable on the supplies to
which the amount relates.
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21. Security to be provided by officers
(1) For the purposes of section 53(3) of the Act, the
prescribed security is a policy of fidelity guarantee
insurance from an insurance company in a form
and for an amount approved by the Board
annually.
(2) In approving the prescribed security under sub-
regulation (1), the Board must review and assess
the individual circumstances of the society, its risk
management systems and internal controls and
determine an appropriate amount of insurance
cover to enable the society to operate in a prudent
manner.
(3) In this regulation, "insurance company" means a
body corporate authorised under the Insurance Act
1973 of the Commonwealth to carry on insurance
business.
22. Valuator's report
Every valuator's report under section 58(3) of the
Act must be verified in Form 9.
23. Security for fulfilment of the duties of a liquidator
For the purposes of section 59(6) of the Act, the
prescribed security is—
(a) an irrevocable guarantee of $50 000 from a
banking corporation as defined in the
Corporations Act; or
(b) a bond of $50 000 given by—
(i) an insurance company authorised under
the Insurance Act 1973 of the
Commonwealth to carry on insurance
business; or
(ii) a banking corporation as defined in the
Corporations Act.
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24. Fees for liquidator
(1) Subject to sub-regulation (2), the fees to which a
liquidator appointed under section 59(6) of the
Act is entitled are the fees calculated by reference
to the maximum hourly rates applicable to the
grades or classifications listed in the Table.
(2) The fees referred to in sub-regulation (1) are to be
increased by an amount equal to the amount (if
any) of GST payable on the supplies to which the
fees relate.
TABLE
Maximum rates per hour
Grades/Classifications Melbourne
Elsewhere in
Victoria
$ $
Principal Appointee/Partner 413 397
Director 324 315
Manager 1 266 259
Manager 2 200 196
Supervisor 165 161
Senior Grade 1 147 143
Senior Grade 2 120 116
Intermediate Grade 1 101 98
Intermediate Grade 2 94 92
Secretary/WP Operator 102 100
Computer Operator 98 94
Clerk 81 78
Typist 70 68
Junior 53 51
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25. Treasurer's indemnity agreements
For the purposes of section 77(1) of the Act, the
prescribed amount is $50 000 000.
__________________
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SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
FORM 1
Regulation 6
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
APPLICATION TO REGISTER A SOCIETY
To the Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies.
We, the undersigned, being all of the directors of the society referred to in
paragraph 1, apply for registration of the society under the Act and, in
support of this application, make the following statements—
1. The name of the society is Limited.
2. The meeting to establish the society was held at on
and it was then resolved to apply for registration as a
society.
3. The following documents are lodged in support of this
application—
(a) * a Statutory declaration
Statutory declarations from the persons who acted
as Chairperson and secretary of the meeting as to
compliance with the requirements of section 8 of the
Act;
*Strike out words which are inapplicable
(b) a copy of the written statement presented to the meeting as
required by section 8(3)(a) of the Act;
(c) two copies of the proposed rules signed by not less than
5 applicants for membership, each of whose signatures has
been attested by a witness and each of whom is, we believe,
not under the age of 18 years;
(d) a list containing the full name, occupation and address of
each director; and
(e) a list containing the full name, occupation and address of
each applicant for membership and the number of shares
subscribed for by him or her.
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4. The person to whom and the address to which communication
relating to this application may be sent are—
Name:
Address:
Dated:
Director Director
Director Director
Director
__________________
FORM 2
Regulation 7
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
This is to certify that
Limited is this day incorporated as a Co-operative Housing Society under the
Act.
Issued at Melbourne on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
Sch. 1
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FORM 3
Regulation 9
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
This is to certify that Limited which was
incorporated as a Co-operative Housing Society under the Act on
has registered a change of its name and is now incorporated under the name
of Limited.
Issued at Melbourne on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
FORM 4
Regulation 11
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
This is to certify that
Limited is this day incorporated as a Co-operative Housing Society under the
Act, following a merger of the co-operative housing societies listed below:
Issued at Melbourne on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
Sch. 1
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FORM 5
Regulation 12(1)
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
APPLICATION TO REGISTER OFFICE OF SOCIETY
(To be submitted in duplicate)
Name of Society:
To the Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies.
Application is made to register the office of the society which is situated
at .
Dated:
Chairperson of Directors
Secretary of Society
Registered on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
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FORM 6
Regulation 12(3)
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF REGISTERED OFFICE
(To be submitted in duplicate)
Name of Society:
To the Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies.
Notice is given that the registered office of the society was removed
from to on .
Chairperson of Directors
Secretary of Society
Registered on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
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FORM 7
Regulation 14
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
Name of Society:
To the Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies.
FULL LIST OF MEMBERS
I certify that the following is a full list of the members of the society as
at .
Surname
(in block
letters)
Given Names
(in full) Address
Number of
shares held
Dated: (Signature of Secretary)
__________________
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FORM 8
Regulation 16(1)
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
APPLICATION TO REGISTER A SPECIAL RESOLUTION
Name of Society:
To the Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies.
We, of
and of
apply for registration of the following special resolution:
passed at a general meeting of the Society held on .
(Signed) Chairperson of meeting
(Signed) Secretary
And we declare—
1. That the following resolution is a true copy of the special
resolution passed at a general meeting of the society.
2. That the special resolution was duly passed by a majority of not
less than three-quarters of such members entitled under the rules to
vote as were present in person at the meeting.
3. That notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution was
duly given according to the rules of the society.
4. That a quorum of members as specified by the rules was present at
the time that the resolution was passed.
5. That to the best of our knowledge and belief all the requirements
of the Act and of the rules relating to the passing of special
resolutions have been complied with.
And we acknowledge that this declaration is true and correct and make it in
the belief that persons making a false declaration are liable to the penalties
for perjury.
Declared at
in the State of Victoria on }
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Before:
a person authorised under section 107A(1)
of the Evidence Act 1958 to witness the
signing of statutory declarations.
[Insert Resolution]
The above Special Resolution of
was registered and certified on .
Registrar of Co-operative Housing Societies
__________________
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FORM 9
Regulation 22
Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958
VERIFICATION OF VALUATOR'S REPORT
I, of in
Victoria, hereby certify—
1. That I am not, nor to the best of my knowledge, information, and
belief, is my *wife/husband or domestic partner or any relation by
blood or marriage of mine, directly or indirectly interested in the
property referred to in this report.
2. That I inspected the land [Insert Description] on
and I
*perused the plans and specifications [Insert Description]
*made a complete inspection of the buildings on the land
on .
3. That the information contained in this report is, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, true and correct.
4. That I am of the opinion that the sum of $ is a fair and
reasonable valuation—
*of the land and improvements thereon
*of the property when the buildings and other improvements as
detailed in the plans and specifications have been completed on
the land.
Given under my hand on
Signature
(A person who holds the qualifications or experience specified under
section 13DA(1A) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960.)
*Strike out the words that are inapplicable.
__________________
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SCHEDULE 2
Regulation 13(2)
MATTERS TO BE SET OUT IN THE REGISTERS
1. Register of Directors
For each director—
(a) full name;
(b) address;
(c) occupation;
(d) date of appointment;
(e) date first appointed to the Board;
(f) date of birth;
(g) qualifications;
(h) relevant experience;
(i) number of shares held;
(j) particulars of contracts between the society and the
director, or a company, society or other entity of
which the director is a director or a member, or in
which the director has a financial interest (include
contracting parties, term, nature of the contract, fees
involved);
(k) date of resignation.
2. Register of members and shares
For each member—
(a) member number;
(b) full name;
(c) address;
(d) date first shares issued and date of Board approval;
(e) number and nominal value of shares held.
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3. Register of secretaries
For each secretary—
(a) full name;
(b) address;
(c) occupation;
(d) date of appointment;
(e) particulars of contracts between the society and the
secretary, or a company, society or other entity of
which the secretary is a director or a member, or in
which the secretary has a financial interest (include
contracting parties, term, nature of the contract, fees
involved);
(f) date of Board approval to appointment;
(g) date ceased to be a secretary.
4. Register of loans raised and securities given
For each loan—
(a) full name of lender;
(b) date loan offer made and date of Board approval;
(c) amount of loan, term and interest rate applicable;
(d) nature and description of security;
(e) date security was given;
(f) particulars of any agreement concerning security
given.
5. Register of advances made and securities taken
For each advance—
(a) date advance or partial advance was made and date of
Board approval;
(b) amount of advance;
(c) nature and description of security;
(d) date advance transferred from/to another member and
whether member is a transferor or transferee;
(e) date advance repaid.
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6. Register of withdrawals and forfeitures
For each withdrawal or forfeiture—
(a) full name of member;
(b) date of forfeiture or withdrawal and date of Board
approval;
(c) number and nominal amount of shares withdrawn or
forfeited;
(d) reason for withdrawal/forfeiture;
(e) number of remaining shares (if any).
7. Register of share transfers
For each transfer—
(a) full name and address of transferor;
(b) full name and address of transferee;
(c) date of transfer and date of Board approval to transfer;
(d) number and nominal amount of shares transferred;
(e) reason for transfer.
Note:
1. The above registers may be combined if considered appropriate
(e.g. register of directors with register of members and shares).
2. Existing accounting records/documents may contain the required
details, in which case a separate register would not appear necessary
(e.g. a society's loan ledger could serve as the register of advances if it
contained all the relevant records).
3. Manuals maintained manually or electronically are acceptable provided
that electronic registers are available for access by creditors, the
Registrar and external auditors and any other authorised person.
__________________
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SCHEDULE 3
Regulation 15
MODEL RULES FOR CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING SOCIETIES
1. Name of Society
The name of the Society is the name specified in
Appendix 1 to these Rules.
2. Status of Society
The Society is a co-operative housing society incorporated
under the Co-operative Housing Societies Act 1958.
3. Registered office
The Society's registered office is at the address specified in
Appendix 1 to these Rules or as registered by the Registrar
from time to time.
4. Act Overrides Rules
If there is an inconsistency between these Rules and the Act,
the Act prevails and the Rule is invalid to the extent of the
inconsistency.
5. Interpretation
(1) Certain words used in these Rules have the meanings given
in the Dictionary.
(2) Other words, unless there is a contrary intention, have the
same meaning as in the Act.
(3) The Appendixes form part of these Rules.
6. Dictionary
"Act" means the Co-operative Housing Societies Act
1958;
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Society;
"borrowing member" means a member of the Society who
owes money to the Society as a result of an advance
made to the member by the Society;
"discharge date", in relation to a borrowing member,
means the date upon which the member's liability in
respect of the advance is discharged;
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"distributable amount", in relation to each borrowing
member, means—
(a) if the Society has reported a retained surplus of
members' funds in the financial statements for
the preceding financial year, an amount equal to
the proportion of that surplus that is the same as
the proportion of the number of shares held by
that member on the last day of that financial
year to the total number of shares held by
borrowing members on that day; or
(b) if the Society has reported a deficit in members'
funds in the financial statements for the
preceding financial year, an amount equal to the
proportion of that deficit that is the same as the
proportion of the number of shares held by that
member on the last day of that financial year to
the total number of shares held by borrowing
members on that day; or
(c) if the Society has reported neither a surplus nor
a deficit, nil;
"distribution date" means the date on which the Society
makes the distribution under Rule 22(1) each year;
"dues" means all amounts, including management fees,
principal payments, interest and other authorised fees
and charges, due by a member to the Society payable
on a periodical payment date;
"fees and charges" means the fees and charges set out in
Appendix 2;
"financial statements" means the balance sheet, income
and expenditure statement and related notes, directors'
report and directors' statement in a format approved
by the Registrar from time to time;
"loan to valuation ratio" means the result of dividing the
amount of the advance less subscriptions paid on
shares, by the value of the security;
"management fees" means fees payable by the member in
accordance with Rule 37;
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"management organisation" means a natural person,
partnership or company appointed by the Board for
the management of the Society subject to the direction
of the Board and who or which nominates a suitably
qualified individual to fill the position of secretary of
the Society;
"net liability" in relation to a member of the Society means
the sum of the advance made to the member by the
Society plus interest and other fees and charges
payable by him or her less the sum of all money
received from the member by the Society, in respect
of interest, fees and charges (whether paid in advance
or otherwise), and the sum of all principal payments
made by the member to the Society at the discharge
date, and taking into account the annual distributions
made under Rule 22;
"periodical payment date" means the date as determined
by the Board under Rule 24 upon which dues are
payable by the member to the Society;
"Registrar " means the Registrar of Co-operative Housing
Societies;
"statutory reserve" means the statutory reserve of the
Society established under Rule 23;
"total assets" means all the assets of the Society less paid-
up share capital.
7. Society and members bound by the Rules
These Rules bind the Society, all its members and all
persons claiming through the Society or a member.
8. Alteration of Rules by special resolution
(1) These Rules may be amended, rescinded or additional Rules
made only with the approval of members by special
resolution.
(2) The Board must ensure that the steps necessary to have the
alteration registered in accordance with section 47 of the Act
are taken.
(3) The alteration takes effect only when it is registered by the
Registrar.
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9. Inspection of Rules
The Society must ensure that a copy of the Rules is available
for inspection by members or persons eligible for
membership at each of its offices, without fee.
10. Copy of Rules
(1) The Society must ensure that the management organisation
or secretary gives a copy of the Rules to an applicant for
membership at the time of application for shares in the
Society or to any member at other times upon request.
(2) The Society may charge a fee for supplying a copy of these
Rules to a member or applicant for membership, but this fee
must not exceed the amount set out in Appendix 2.
11. Objects of Society
The Society has the following objects—
(a) to enable each of its members—
(i) to purchase land and to erect a dwelling-house
thereon;
(ii) to erect a dwelling-house on land already
owned by the member;
(iii) to erect a dwelling-house on Crown land leased
by the member for a term of not less than
50 years being Crown land within an area
approved by the Governor in Council for the
purposes of the Act;
(iv) subject to section 34 of the Act, to purchase
land upon which is situated a dwelling-house;
(v) to maintain and keep in proper repair the
member's dwelling-house;
(vi) where the approval of the Governor in Council
given after consideration of a report by the
Registrar is first obtained, to discharge a
mortgage held by another society upon any
land;
(vii) to discharge a mortgage or any other charge or
security over or affecting any land that was
granted or executed by the member in question
in anticipation of the Society's making an
advance to the member and with the approval
of the Registrar to the making of the advance;
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(b) for all or any of those purposes to make advances to
its members upon the security of freehold property or
a lease for a term of not less than 50 years of Crown
land within an area approved by the Governor in
Council for the purposes of the Act.
12. Power of Society to raise money
The Society may, subject to the Act and these Rules, raise
money on loan or in accordance with section 33(1A) of the
Act for the objects of the Society.
13. Seal
(1) The Society must, as required by section 36(2) of the Act,
have its name inscribed in legible characters upon its seal.
(2) The seal must be kept at the registered office in such
custody as the Board determines.
(3) The seal may be affixed only under the authority of a
resolution of a general meeting or of the Board and such
affixing must be attested by the signatures of—
(a) two directors; or
(b) one director and one other person authorised by the
Board.
14. Capital and shares
(1) The capital of the Society is to be raised by the issue of
shares. The capital will vary in amount according to the
nominal value of shares from time to time subscribed.
(2) Shares in the capital of the Society are of a nominal value of
$100 each.
(3) Separate classes of shares may be issued by the Society as
determined by the Board but each class of shares ranks
equally.
15. Shareholding requirement
Every member must hold at least one share in the Society.
16. Membership
(1) Any natural person or two or more natural persons jointly
are eligible for membership of the Society except—
(a) a person who is under the age of 16 years;
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(b) a person who is a member of any other society, unless
that society has the same registered office as the
Society and the Registrar has consented in writing to
that person becoming a member of the Society.
(2) A person who is a member of a society that transfers its
engagements to the Society under the Act becomes a
member of the Society upon the issue by the Registrar of a
certificate confirming the transfer of engagements.
17. Application for membership
(1) Application for membership or additional shares is to be
made in writing in the form determined by the Board.
(2) In respect of each share applied for, in the case of a
borrowing member, the applicant must lodge the sum of
10 cents on or before the date of settlement.
(3) In respect of each share applied for, in the case of a
director of the society, the applicant must lodge the sum of
10 cents—
(a) if the application is made before registration of the
Society, within 30 days of registration; or
(b) if the application is made after registration of the
Society, at the time of the application.
(4) If the application is approved, the sum so lodged is to be
applied to the amount owing for subscriptions.
(5) If the applicant does not pay the amount specified within the
period set out in sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3), the Board may
cancel the application.
(6) In addition, an entrance fee per share or additional share
applied for, as set out in Appendix 2, must be lodged by a
prospective borrowing member at the same time as the
application fee is lodged.
(7) The Board at its sole discretion may accept or reject an
application for membership or for additional shares and
need not give any reason for its decision.
(8) If an application for membership or additional shares is not
approved by the Board, the whole of the money lodged in
respect of the application must be returned to the applicant
without interest.
(9) No member may apply for or be allotted more than one
share before the Society is registered.
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(10) The amount of subscriptions unpaid on shares allotted to the
member must be paid in accordance with Rule 25.
18. Allotment of shares
If the Board approves an application for membership or
additional shares, the relevant shares must be allotted to the
applicant and—
(a) in the case of an applicant for membership—
(i) the applicant's name must be entered in the
share register of the Society; and
(ii) the applicant becomes entitled to the privileges
of membership; and
(iii) the applicant becomes liable to pay the amount
unpaid on the shares in the manner provided for
in these Rules;
(b) in the case of a member applying for additional
shares—
(i) the number of shares allotted to the member
must be entered in the share register of the
Society; and
(ii) the member becomes liable to pay the amount
unpaid on the shares in the manner provided for
in these Rules.
19. Change of address
(1) If a member changes address, that member must give
written notice to the Society of the change within 7 days.
(2) An applicant for membership who fails to give notice of a
change of address in accordance with sub-rule (1) is taken to
have withdrawn his or her membership application.
20. Liability of member to Society
(1) A member, in accordance with section 26 of the Act, is
liable to the Society for the amount unpaid on the shares
held by that member and interest thereon together with
outstanding fees and charges and other money payable by
that member to the Society.
(2) Subject to section 60 of the Act and these Rules, a member's
liability to the society ceases on the discharge date.
(3) In this Rule, "interest" means the interest payable by a
borrowing member in accordance with Rule 39.
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21. Cessation of membership
A person ceases to be a member of the Society if—
(a) the member's shares are transferred to another person
in accordance with these Rules and the transferee is
registered as the holder of those shares;
(b) the member's shares are forfeited in accordance with
these Rules;
(c) any power of sale (whether expressed or implied) in
any mortgage given by the member to the Society is
exercised by the Society;
(d) the member becomes bankrupt or insolvent under any
law relating to bankruptcy or insolvency and the
official receiver or assignee disclaims in accordance
with the provisions of such law;
(e) on death, subject to the provisions of Rule 32;
(f) the contract of membership is rescinded on the ground
of misrepresentation or mistake;
(g) the value of a member's share is repaid, or a refund in
respect of the member's subscriptions is made to the
member in accordance with these Rules;
(h) the member has withdrawn his or her shares in
accordance with these Rules.
22. Annual distribution
(1) Subject to this Rule, the Society must, within 28 days of its
annual general meeting, or within such further period as the
Registrar approves, distribute the distributable amount to
each borrowing member by crediting or debiting the
member's loan account.
(2) A distributable amount in respect of a surplus is not to be
credited to a member's loan account until the member has
made the contribution to the statutory reserve required by
Rule 23.
(3) Until a member has made the contribution required by
Rule 23, any distributable amounts accruing to him or her in
respect of surpluses are to be paid into the statutory reserve
and applied to that contribution.
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(4) On a distribution date, if there is any person to whom
Rules 48(4)(e) and 48(5) apply—
(a) if the relevant distributable amount is in respect of a
surplus of members' funds, the Board must forward
the amount to the person and, if applicable, refund
any amount paid by the person under Rule 48(4)(e) in
respect of an expected deficit;
(b) if the relevant distributable amount is in respect of a
deficit in members' funds—
(i) if the amount is greater than the estimated
amount under Rule 48(5), the Board must give
a written notice to the person requesting him or
her to pay the difference to the Society within
30 days;
(ii) if the amount is less than the estimated amount
under Rule 48(5), the Board must forward the
difference to the person;
(iii) if the estimated amount under Rule 48(5) was
in respect of a surplus, the Board must give a
written notice to the person requesting him or
her to pay the whole of the relevant
distributable amount to the Society within
30 days.
(5) Each member of the Society agrees to pay an amount under
sub-rule (4)(b)(i) or (iii) whether or not he or she is still a
member of the Society at the time the notice requesting
payment is given to him or her.
23. Statutory reserve
(1) The Society is to have a statutory reserve consisting of
contributions by borrowing members in accordance with this
Rule.
(2) Each borrowing member must contribute an amount equal to
1% of the total amount advanced to the member by the
Society. The contribution is to be made from the member's
entitlement to distributable amounts in respect of surpluses
in members' funds.
(3) The Society must keep a record of each borrowing member's
contribution to the statutory reserve.
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(4) Subject to sub-rule (5), on the next business day after a
distribution date the Board must transfer from the statutory
reserve to the retained members' funds of the Society an
amount calculated in accordance with the following
formula—
100
NA
SR A − =
where—
A is the amount to be transferred;
SR is the amount in the statutory reserve before the
transfer;
NA is the amount equal to the value of the total assets as
reported in the latest audited financial statements of the
society.
(5) An amount must not be transferred under sub-rule (4) to the
extent that the amount in the statutory reserve following the
transfer would be less than $2500 or such other amount
approved by the Registrar.
(6) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, funds from the
statutory reserve may only be applied—
(a) to meet the costs of winding up the Society; or
(b) to meet the costs of an administrator of the Society
appointed by the Registrar—
unless the Registrar otherwise approves.
24. Periodical payment dates
(1) Periodical payment dates are the dates fixed by the Board
from time to time for the periodic payment by members of
amounts owing to the Society and in the case of a borrowing
member, as disclosed to the member in the member's Letter
of Offer.
(2) Any changes to the periodical payment dates must be
notified in writing to members at least 30 days prior to the
date of change.
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25. Subscriptions on shares
(1) If not paid before, the amount unpaid on unadvanced shares
must be paid on the sooner of the member's withdrawal or
the winding up of the Society.
(2) The amount unpaid on advanced shares must be paid as
provided by Rule 39.
26. Extension of time for payments
(1) The Board may grant to a member, for such period and on
such terms and conditions as the Board thinks fit, an
extension of time for payment of dues by reason of illness or
unemployment of the member or other special circumstance
proved to the satisfaction of the Board.
(2) During the period of any such extension under sub-rule (1),
dues are not payable, but the member remains liable for the
amount of such dues.
(3) The Board must not grant an extension of time unless it has
reasonable grounds to believe that the Society will be able to
recover all money owed by the member.
27. Withdrawal of shares
(1) A member may at any time not less than one year after the
registration of the Society (or with the consent of the Board
at any earlier time) withdraw any share or shares—
(a) upon which the member has not received an advance;
or
(b) upon which the member has received an advance, but
the liability in respect of that advance has been
discharged or will be discharged upon withdrawal.
(2) Except as provided in Rule 49, a member must give 30 days'
notice of his or her intention to withdraw the shares.
(3) The member is taken to have withdrawn the shares on the
discharge date.
(4) A notice of withdrawal may not be cancelled by the member
without the consent of the Board.
(5) A member shall be taken to have given notice of withdrawal
on the date upon which the special resolution of the Society
to wind up becomes effective.
(6) The Society may charge a withdrawal fee in respect of each
share as set out in Appendix 2.
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28. Treatment of subscriptions paid
(1) On withdrawal of shares by a member, the amount of the
subscriptions paid by that member as at the periodical
payment date preceding the date notice of withdrawal is
received by the Society must be applied to reduce the net
liability of the member required to discharge.
(2) A member is not required to continue payment of
subscriptions in respect of the shares proposed to be
withdrawn after he or she has given notice of withdrawal.
(3) If the date for discharge of a member's liability has not been
arranged by the member with the Society within 90 days
after receipt of the notice of withdrawal, the Board may
disregard the notice, reinstate the account and require the
member to pay all dues which otherwise would have
accrued during that period.
29. Transfer of shares
(1) A share may not be sold or transferred without the consent
of the Board.
(2) The instrument of transfer of any share must be executed
both by the transferor and the transferee, and the transferor
is deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of
the transferee in respect of that share is entered in the Share
Register.
(3) The Society may charge a fee as set out in Appendix 2 on
registration of the transfer of shares.
(4) The Board must make a record of all transfers in the Share
Register.
30. Registration of transfer
(1) The Board must decline to register any transfer of shares—
(a) to a person who is not eligible to be a member; or
(b) to a person whom the Board does not approve.
(2) The Board may decline to register any transfer of shares
during the period of 14 days immediately preceding each
annual general meeting.
(3) The Board may decline to recognise any instrument of
transfer unless the instrument is accompanied by such
evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the
right of the transferor to make the transfer.
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31. Deceased member
(1) The legal personal representative or representatives of a
deceased member are the only person or persons recognised
by the Society as having any title to the share or shares
registered in the name of the deceased member.
(2) In the case of shares registered in the names of 2 or more
persons as joint holders, the survivor or survivors or the
legal personal representative(s) of the last survivor are the
only persons recognised as having any title to the shares.
(3) The Board may require any evidence of the death of a joint
holder of shares as it thinks fit.
32. Treatment of shares of deceased member etc.
Any person becoming entitled to shares in consequence of
the death, bankruptcy or insolvency of a member, or in
consequence of a member having made any arrangement or
composition with the member's creditors or any assignment
of the member's estate for the benefit of the member's
creditors, upon production of evidence of title satisfactory to
the Board, may either—
(a) be registered as a member in respect of the shares if
that person is otherwise eligible for membership
under the Act and these Rules; or
(b) instead of being registered as a member—
(i) transfer the shares as if that person were the
registered holder of the shares; or
(ii) withdraw the shares (where no advance has
been made on the shares) or withdraw the
shares and discharge the liability in respect of
the advance (where an advance has been made
on the shares) in the same manner and subject
to the same conditions as if that person were the
registered holder of the shares.
(c) If shares are held by the executor or administrator of a
deceased member, the Board may by notice in writing
to the executor or administrator, call upon that person
to transfer the shares to an eligible person or to
withdraw the shares within 6 months or such further
time as the Board may allow and, unless the shares
are so transferred or withdrawn, they may at the
discretion of the Board be forfeited and dealt with as
forfeited shares in accordance with the Act and these
Rules.
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33. Forfeiture of shares: with notice
(1) If a member fails to pay dues on a share for 6 consecutive
periodical payment dates, the share is liable to be forfeited.
(2) If the members of the Board present at a meeting
unanimously consider it appropriate to forfeit a share which
is liable to be forfeited, notice of intention to forfeit the
share must be sent to the member by certified mail or
registered post.
(3) Notice under sub-rule (2) must state the amount owing on
the share and name a date, not less than 14 days after the
date of the notice, after which the share will be forfeited if
the dues remain unpaid.
34. Forfeiture of shares: without notice
The shares of a member are taken to be forfeited without the
giving of notice required by Rule 33(2) if the official trustee
or receiver or assignee disclaims in accordance with any law
relating to bankruptcy or insolvency as to the shares of any
member who becomes bankrupt or insolvent.
35. Effects of forfeiture
(1) A person whose shares have been forfeited ceases to be a
member of the Society, but remains liable to pay the Society
all money payable by the member at the date of forfeiture.
(2) A person whose shares are forfeited is liable to pay his or
her proportion of any deficit calculated in accordance with
Rule 22 in the same way as if he or she had withdrawn the
shares.
(3) A statutory declaration by a director of the Society that a
share has been duly forfeited on the date stated in the
declaration is prima facie evidence of such forfeiture having
taken place as against all persons claiming to be entitled to
the share. A forfeited share must be cancelled and may not
be re-issued or sold.
(4) Any money received by the Society in respect of a forfeited
share (whether received before or after forfeiture) must be
applied first towards satisfaction of any amount payable by
the member as at the date of forfeiture and the balance must
be paid to him or her.
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36. Charge on shares
The Society has a charge upon the share or interest in the
capital of a member or past member in respect of any debt
due from the member or past member to the Society and
may set off any sum credited or payable to a member or past
member against the debt.
37. Management fees
(1) A member who has obtained an advance from the Society
must pay a management fee to the Society from the date the
advance or first partial advance is made or after transfer
under Rule 29 until the member's liability to the Society is
discharged. Where the period from the date of the advance,
first partial advance or transfer to the first periodical
payment date is less than one month, the management fee
for that period is the pro-rata amount based on the
applicable monthly management fee.
(2) The management fee is the amount set out in Appendix 2.
(3) The Board must give written notice to a member of the
management fee payable by the member, and that the fee is
payable at each periodical payment date after the date of the
advance or first partial advance or date of transfer until the
date on which the member discharges his or her liability to
the Society.
38. Advances
(1) Every application for an advance must be made on the form
provided by the Society for that purpose and must be
accompanied by the valuation fee referred to in Appendix 2.
(2) An advance may be made to a member only if that member
holds shares of a nominal value equivalent to the amount of
the advance.
(3) A member is eligible for an advance only upon shares on
which the initial subscriptions as provided in Rule 17(2),
and any fees and charges due under these Rules, are paid up.
(4) If there are insufficient funds available to satisfy all
applications for advances, priority between applications is to
be determined according to the order in which the
applications were received by the Society.
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39. Principal payments and interest payments
(1) On each periodic payment date a borrowing member must
pay to the Society a principal payment calculated in
accordance with sub-rule (2) plus interest calculated in
accordance with sub-rule (3).
(2) The principal payment is the amount required to pay by
instalments the amount of subscriptions due on the shares
allotted to the member and in respect of which the member
has been entitled to an advance, within the period from the
periodical payment date following the date of the advance or
first partial advance until the periodical payment date prior
to the expiry of the term of the advance.
(3) Interest is to be calculated upon the net liability of the
borrowing member at such intervals and at such rate as is
determined by the Board from time to time. The Board
must give the member written advance notice of the rate of
interest and method of calculation and any changes to either.
(4) The rate of interest must not cause the interest charged to the
member to exceed the rate of interest charged to the Society
on moneys borrowed by it unless prior approval from the
Registrar has been obtained by the Society.
(5) The rate of interest charged to the member may be less than
the interest rate charged to the Society on moneys borrowed
provided the Society follows the applicable interest
discounting guidelines issued by the Registrar from time to
time and does not breach any agreement with the lender.
(6) If the full amount of the approved advance is paid to the
member in one sum, principal payments and interest
payments are to commence on the periodical payment date
next after the advance is made.
(7) Subject to sub-rule (8), if the advance is made in
instalments, the principal payments and interest payments in
respect of the total amount of shares subscribed by the
borrowing member are to commence on the first periodical
payment date after the date on which the sum of the
instalments is equivalent to $50 for each relevant share.
(8) The Board may direct that an advance is to be made on
shares in succession, in which case the principal payments
and interest payments are to commence on the first
periodical payment date after the date on which the sum of
the instalments in respect of each relevant share reaches $50.
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(9) Principal payments by a borrowing member (but not interest
payments) are to be applied to paying subscriptions on the
member's shares and not in repaying the advance made to
the member by the Society, except at the discharge date in
accordance with Rule 48.
40. Security for advances
(1) An advance may not be made unless—
(a) the property submitted as security is, or is intended
after construction to be, the principal place of
residence of the member; and
(b) it is secured by registered mortgage over freehold land
in Victoria or as otherwise allowed by the Act; and
(c) the purpose for which it is made is consistent with the
objects of the Society as set out in Rule 11; and
(d) it is made in accordance with the Act and the
Regulations.
(2) If an application is made for an advance for any authorised
purpose including purposes other than the erection of a
dwelling-house, the Board must arrange for the valuation of
the property submitted as security prior to any approval of
the application.
(3) The Board may decline to accept any security submitted and
need not give any reasons for doing so.
41. Form of mortgages
(1) A mortgage must—
(a) conform to these Rules; and
(b) contain such usual and other covenants as the Board
considers proper and necessary to secure the advance
in accordance with these Rules; and
(c) secure all principal payments, interest, fees and
charges and any other money for which a member is
or may become liable under these Rules.
(2) The mortgage must contain a provision to the effect that the
member is bound by these Rules and any subsequent
alteration of them affecting the mortgage, despite any
provision contained in the mortgage.
(3) In this Rule, "interest" means the interest payable by a
borrowing member in accordance with Rule 39.
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42. Purchase of land and erection of house
(1) Rules 42 to 44 apply only to a member who applies for an
advance for the purpose of purchase of land and erection of
a dwelling-house on that land or of erection of a dwelling-
house on land already owned by the member.
(2) A member must submit plans and specifications of the
building and improvements proposed to be erected with the
application for the advance.
(3) The member may be paid the advance in instalments as the
construction of the house progresses.
(4) Such instalments may only be paid upon the certificate of
the valuator appointed by the Board for that purpose so long
as the loan to valuation ratio at the time the instalment is
made does not exceed the approved anticipated final loan to
valuation ratio on completion of construction.
(5) The cost of the work completed is to be assessed, and the
estimated cost to complete is to be estimated, by a valuator
appointed and approved by the Board for that purpose.
(6) The unpaid amount of the advance must not at any time be
less than the amount determined by the most recent
valuation as necessary to complete the house and
improvements.
(7) When the dwelling-house is completed to the satisfaction of
the Board and the actual construction costs are less than the
amount of the advance approved for that purpose, any
remainder of the approved advance, which has not been paid
to the member, is deemed to be a reduction in the amount
applied for by the member and the appropriate adjustment
must be made to the member's shareholding and liability.
Any subscriptions paid by the member in excess of the
amount required must be refunded to the member.
43. Failure to complete works
(1) If a member fails to complete a dwelling-house or
improvements upon which an advance has been authorised,
the Board may, at the expense of the member—
(a) complete the work required and direct the making of
the advance as required;
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(b) sell the property and recover the costs and expenses
incurred in connection with the sale and any amount
calculated in accordance with Rule 48 that would be
payable by the member for the discharge of the
member's mortgage as at the periodical payment date
preceding the exercise of the power of sale.
(2) If the full amount has not been advanced on all shares held
by the member, the member is to be taken to hold
unadvanced and advanced shares respectively in the same
ratio as the amount not advanced bears to the amount
advanced and the member is to be taken to have withdrawn
the unadvanced shares as at the periodical payment date
preceding the exercise of the power of sale and must be
given a refund in respect of subscriptions paid on the
unadvanced shares accordingly.
(3) For the purposes of this Rule, the determination made by the
Board that a member has failed to complete a dwelling-
house or improvements is final and conclusive.
44. Valuation and inspection of property
(1) If an application is made for an advance for the erection of a
dwelling-house, the Board must arrange for—
(a) the valuation of the land; and
(b) the examination of the plans and specifications of the
dwelling-house and improvements proposed to be
erected or made to the land; and
(c) the estimation of the value of the house and
improvements when completed—
prior to any approval of an application for such an advance.
(2) For the purposes of these Rules, the Board must employ a
valuator qualified and approved in accordance with the Act
to perform all valuations required.
(3) The Board may also arrange for the valuation and inspection
of a property from time to time by a valuator appointed by
the Board.
(4) The member is liable for the fees for valuations and
inspections referred to in Appendix 2.
(5) If the Society has made an advance in respect of which the
Treasurer of Victoria has entered into an agreement in
accordance with section 76 of the Act, the Board must
arrange for subsequent valuations of the secured property in
accordance with the terms of that agreement.
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45. Survey of property
(1) If the Board thinks fit, a survey of the land submitted as
security for an advance may be made.
(2) The member is liable for costs of such a survey as referred
to in Appendix 2.
46. Solicitor
(1) The Board must appoint a qualified solicitor or a number of
qualified solicitors to act as solicitor to the Society.
(2) If such a solicitor is a member of the Society and applies for
an advance, the Board must appoint another solicitor for the
Society for the purposes of that application, and if an
advance is made, thereafter in connection with the advance.
47. Costs of mortgage etc.
All costs and expenses of the Society as set out in
Appendix 2 in connection with the mortgage of any property
or the discharge or variation or transfer of a mortgage,
(except a transfer under section 33(1A) or 33(1B) of the Act,
unless the Registrar otherwise approves), must be paid by
the member concerned.
48. Discharge of liability
(1) A member who has had an advance in respect of any shares
may discharge his or her liability to the Society in
accordance with this Rule.
(2) A member must give the Society 30 days' written notice, or
such lesser period as the Board may allow, of his or her
intention to discharge the liability.
(3) The date at which the liability of the member is determined
is the periodical payment date preceding the date on which
notice of discharge is received by the Society.
(4) The amount to discharge the liability is the sum of—
(a) the net liability of the member as at the periodical
payment date in sub-rule (3); and
(b) interest calculated on the net liability at a rate
equivalent to that charged to the member on the
advance, computed from that periodical payment date
until the discharge date; and
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(c) management fees calculated pro-rata at the monthly
rate payable on the periodical payment date in
sub-rule (3), for the period from that periodical
payment date until the discharge date; and
(d) the withdrawal fee referred to in Rule 27(6) and set
out in Appendix 2; and
(e) if applicable, an amount determined in accordance
with sub-rule (5)—
less the amount calculated under sub-rule (6).
(5) Sub-rule (4)(e) applies if the discharge date occurs before
the distribution date for that year. If so, an estimate must be
made of the distributable amount applicable to the member
for that year on the basis of the financial records of the
Society as nearly as practicable at the time of discharge,
including any unaccounted-for income and expenses likely
to be included in the final accounts. If the amount estimated
is a share of an expected deficit, that is the amount for the
purpose of sub-rule (4)(e).
(6) Subject to sub-rule (8), the member's liability on discharge
is reduced by an amount equal to the lesser of—
(a) the member's contribution to the statutory reserve
under Rule 23; and
(b) the amount calculated in accordance with the
following formula—
NL
NA
SR
A × =
where—
A is the amount;
SR is the amount of the statutory reserve as at the
discharge date;
NA is the value of the total assets of the Society as
reported in the latest audited financial
statements of the Society;
NL is the member's net liability under sub-rule
(4)(a)—
less $200.
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(7) To give effect to the credit provided for in sub-rule (4)(e), an
amount equal to the amount calculated under sub-rule (6) is
to be applied from the statutory reserve to credit the
member's loan account.
(8) Sub-rules (6) and (7) do not apply to the extent that their
operation would result in the amount in the statutory reserve
being less than $2500 or such other amount approved by the
Registrar.
49. Effect of discharge
When a member has discharged his or her liability in
accordance with Rule 48, the member—
(a) upon payment of the costs and expenses of the
discharge in accordance with Appendix 2 is entitled to
the discharge of his or her mortgage;
(b) must be taken to have given notice of withdrawal of
his or her shares in accordance with Rule 27.
50. Cancellation of notice of discharge
(1) The member may, with the consent of the Board, cancel a
notice of intention to discharge the liability on shares
previously given to the Society.
(2) If the full amount required by the Rules to be paid to the
Society is not paid by the date nominated by the member as
the discharge date, the Board may give notice to the member
requiring him or her, within 14 days, to reinstate the account
by paying all dues then in arrears.
51. Insurance of mortgaged property
(1) The member must insure all dwelling-houses and
improvements erected on land mortgaged to the Society—
(a) for such amount; and
(b) against such risks; and
(c) on such terms and conditions—
as the Board from time to time determines.
(2) If the Society pays any premium for insurance of the
mortgaged property on behalf of the member, the member
must reimburse the Society within 14 days from the date of
demand for reimbursement, and the amount is subject to the
rights of recovery provided for in the mortgage deed.
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(3) If the member fails to make payment in accordance with
sub-rule (2), the Board may require a member to pay to the
Society at each periodical payment date a sum sufficient in
the Board's opinion to cover all premiums payable under this
Rule.
(4) Despite sub-rules (1) to (3), a member may insure with a
company of his or her choice, provided that the policy
includes reference to the Society as mortgagee, the
particulars of the mortgaged property, the name of the
Society's lender as equitable mortgagee and renews on a
specific renewal date acceptable to the Society.
52. Power to sell mortgaged property
A member may not sell any property mortgaged to the
Society unless—
(a) the mortgage is discharged in accordance with these
Rules prior to or at the time the sale is completed; or
(b) the Board otherwise consents.
53. Power to release part of security
The Board may if it thinks fit release a part of the property
mortgaged if it is satisfied that the remainder of the property
represents sufficient security and obtains a valuation, in
accordance with Rule 44 as at the date on which partial
release of the security is proposed to take place, which
confirms that the loan to valuation ratio, based on the
member's net liability at the date the partial release is
proposed to take place, does not exceed the loan to valuation
ratio approved at the time the original total advance to the
member was approved and if the Board obtains the consent
of the lender, mortgage insurer and any relevant
Government Department or Departments.
54. Annual General Meetings
Subject to the Act, the annual general meeting of the Society
is to be held at the time and place determined by the Board.
55. Special general meeting
(1) A special general meeting may be held—
(a) whenever the Board so determines; or
(b) if 20 members or one-half the total number of
members entitled to vote (whichever is fewer)
requisition the Board in writing to convene a special
general meeting.
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(2) A requisition for a special general meeting must—
(a) state the objects of the meeting; and
(b) be signed by the members requesting the meeting; and
(c) be lodged at the registered office of the Society.
(3) A requisition may consist of several documents of like effect
each signed by one or more of the members requesting the
meeting.
(4) On receiving a requisition under this Rule the Board must
cause a special general meeting to be held within 21 days
after receipt of the requisition.
(5) If the Board does not cause a special general meeting to be
held in accordance with sub-rule (4), the members who
requisitioned the meeting may cause the meeting to be held
within 3 months of the date the requisition was lodged at the
registered office of the Society.
(6) The Board must provide the members who requisitioned the
meeting with a list of all the names and addresses of the
Society members as at the date the requisition was lodged at
the registered office of the Society.
(7) A special general meeting convened by members under
sub-rule (5) must be convened as nearly as possible in the
manner by which the Board would convene a special general
meeting. All reasonable expenses incurred in convening
such a meeting must be refunded by the Society to the
members who incurred those costs.
56. Notice of general meetings
(1) Notice in writing of a general meeting must—
(a) be given to all members not less than 14 days before
the date of the meeting; and
(b) specify the place, date and time of the meeting; and
(c) if special business is to be transacted, set out generally
the nature of the special business; and
(d) if a special resolution is to be proposed, set out the
terms of the special resolution.
(2) Non-receipt of the notice by a person entitled to receive the
notice does not invalidate the proceedings of a general
meeting.
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(3) If, at least 3 business days before a notice convening the
general meeting is issued by the Board, a member informs
the Board of the member's intention to move a motion at that
meeting, the Board must ensure that notice of the member's
intention is included in the notice of meeting.
57. Ordinary business of annual general meeting
The ordinary business of the annual general meeting is—
(a) to confirm the minutes of the previous annual general
meeting and of any general meetings held since that
meeting; and
(b) to receive from the Board, auditor and officers of the
Society reports on the transactions of the Society
during the preceding financial year, including reports
on the audited financial statements of the Society; and
(c) to elect and determine the remuneration of directors;
and
(d) to appoint and determine the remuneration of the
auditor; and
(e) to determine the remuneration of officers other than
directors.
58. Special business
(1) All business at a general meeting, other than ordinary
business, is special business.
(2) The annual general meeting may transact special business if
notice of any special business is given in accordance with
Rule 56.
59. Quorum
(1) Subject to this rule, any 5 members present in person at a
meeting constitute a quorum.
(2) If within half an hour after the time appointed for the
meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting—
(a) if convened upon the requisition of members, is
abandoned; and
(b) in any other case is to be adjourned at the discretion
of the person presiding—
(i) for half an hour at the same place and the
members then present constitute a quorum; or
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(ii) to the same day and time in the following week
at the same place (unless another place is
specified by the person presiding at the time of
the adjournment or by written notice to
members).
(3) If at an adjourned meeting, under sub-rule (2)(b)(ii), a
quorum is not present within half an hour after the time
appointed for the meeting, the members then present
constitute a quorum.
60. No business without quorum
No item of business may be transacted at a general meeting
unless a quorum of persons entitled to vote is present.
61. Presiding at general meetings
(1) Subject to this Rule, the Chairperson of the Board presides
at every general meeting of the Society.
(2) If the Chairperson of the Board is unable or unwilling to
preside or is not present within 15 minutes after the time
appointed for the meeting, the members present must select
one of their number to preside.
62. Restrictions on business transacted
(1) The person presiding may, with the consent of a majority of
members present at the meeting, adjourn the meeting from
time to time and from place to place.
(2) The person presiding must, if directed by a majority of
members present at the meeting, adjourn the meeting to a
date and time agreed.
(3) No business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting
other than business unfinished at the meeting which was
adjourned.
63. Standing orders
The following orders must be observed at meetings of the
Society—
(1) The mover of a motion must not speak for more than
10 minutes, subsequent speakers are allowed
5 minutes and the mover of the motion 5 minutes to
reply, but the meeting may by simple majority extend
in a particular instance the time so permitted.
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(2) If an amendment is proposed upon an original motion,
no second amendment may be taken into
consideration until the first amendment is disposed of.
(3) If an amendment is carried, it displaces the original
motion and becomes itself the motion to which any
further amendment may be moved.
(4) If an amendment is not carried, then a further
amendment may be moved to the original motion, but
only one amendment may be submitted to the meeting
for discussion at any one time.
(5) The mover of every original motion, but not of an
amendment, has the right to reply, following which
the question must be put from the chair, but no other
member may speak more than once on the same
question, unless permission is given to explain, or the
attention of the person presiding is called to a point of
order.
(6) Motions and amendments must be submitted in
writing when requested by the person presiding.
(7) Any discussions may be closed by a motion "that the
question be now put" being seconded and carried and
any such motion must be put to the meeting without
debate.
64. Voting
(1) Every member who is present in person at a meeting is
entitled to one vote irrespective of the number of shares held
by that member.
(2) In the case of joint holders of a share, the member whose
name appears first in the register for that share may vote
unless the other joint holders otherwise direct.
(3) Subject to sub-rule (4) on any vote, a declaration of the
result by the person presiding is proof of that resolution, and
any such declaration by the person presiding must be
minuted.
(4) If a poll is demanded by not less than 5 members present, it
must be conducted in the manner specified by the person
presiding and the result of the poll is the resolution of the
meeting on that question.
(5) In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of
hands or on a poll, the person presiding at the meeting is
entitled to a second or casting vote.
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(6) A poll demanded for the election of a person presiding or on
a question of adjournment must be taken immediately, but
any other poll may be conducted at any time before the close
of the meeting.
65. Special resolution
A special resolution must be passed by not less than three
quarters of those members entitled to vote who are present
in person at the general meeting of which notice specifying
the intention to propose the resolution has been given in
accordance with these Rules.
66. Board of directors
(1) Subject to section 48(7) of the Act, the number of directors
of the Board is the number specified in Appendix 1.
(2) A director must be a member of the Society.
(3) A director may not assume office before the age of 18 years.
(4) The first directors must be elected at the meeting for the
formation of the Society.
67. Retirement of directors
(1) At the first annual general meeting not less than half of the
directors must retire and at the next annual general meeting
the remaining directors must retire and this pattern of
rotation is to continue in ensuing years.
(2) A retiring director retains office until the close of the
meeting at which his or her successor is elected.
(3) The directors to retire in any one year are, subject to the
provisions as to the filling of casual vacancies, those who
have been longest in office since their last election and if
there are 2 or more directors who became directors on the
same day, those who retire must be determined by lot unless
they otherwise agree amongst themselves.
(4) A retiring director is eligible for re-election.
68. Election of directors
(1) The Society must notify all members of the number of
directors retiring at the annual general meeting in writing at
least 6 weeks before the annual general meeting and advise
the members of their eligibility to nominate as a director of
the Society, the duties and responsibilities of a Society
director, the anticipated remuneration and the nomination
and election procedures.
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(2) Not less than 6 weeks before the annual general meeting a
notice must be displayed at the registered office of the
Society inviting nominations of candidates for election as
directors.
(3) A nomination must be signed by 2 or more members and
must be accompanied by a notice in writing signed by the
candidate agreeing to his or her nomination.
(4) The nomination and notice referred to in sub-rule (3) must
be lodged at the registered office of the Society at least
21 days before the annual general meeting.
(5) Details of each person who has submitted a nomination to
become a director of the Society must be sent out to
members with the notice of the annual general meeting.
(6) Details provided to the members must include the
candidate's—
(a) name;
(b) occupation;
(c) age;
(d) length of any previous service as a director of the
Society or any other co-operative housing society;
(e) professional qualifications (if any);
(f) relevant experience (if any).
(7) The requirements of sub-rule (1) will be met if the society—
(a) with the notice of annual general meeting in each
year—
(i) notifies all members of the number and names
of directors due to retire at the following year's
annual general meeting—
(A) in accordance with the normal operation
of Rule 67(1), and, in general terms, of
any variations that might occur; or
(B) where the Registrar has authorised the
carrying on of business with three
directors in accordance with
section 48(7) of the Act, the number of
directors to retire in the following year
according to the pattern of rotation
determined by the directors; and
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(ii) provides all members with the other advice
required by sub-rule (1); and
(b) advises, on each regular statement of account sent to
each member, that members are eligible to nominate
as directors each year, in accordance with the society's
rules, and that further information is available from
the Secretary to the society.
69. Manner of election
(1) The ballot for the election of directors must be conducted at
the annual general meeting in the manner the Board directs.
(2) If, at the annual general meeting at which an election of
directors ought to take place, the place of any retiring
director is not filled, the meeting stands adjourned.
(3) At the resumption of the adjourned meeting nominations for
any unfilled positions of director may be received and an
election may be held.
70. Casual vacancy
Any vacancy in the office of director which occurs other
than by rotation of retirement may be filled by resolution of
the Board but the person appointed must retire at the next
annual general meeting.
71. Removal of director
The Society may by resolution remove any director before
the expiration of his or her period of office, and may by
resolution at the same or any other meeting appoint another
person in his or her stead. The person so appointed is
subject to retirement at the same time as if he or she had
become a director on the day on which the director in whose
place he or she is appointed was last elected a director.
72. Proceedings of the Board
(1) Subject to this Rule, the Board may meet and regulate its
proceedings in the manner which it determines.
(2) The Board must meet at least once every 3 months.
Meetings may be conducted using any form of electronic
communication and decisions made at such meetings have
the same validity as meetings which directors attended in
person.
(3) Any question at a meeting must be decided by a majority of
votes and the Chairperson of the Board has a second or
casting vote in the event of equality of votes.
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(4) A meeting may be requisitioned by the Chairperson of the
Board or by any 2 directors, and the secretary on receiving
such a requisition must convene a meeting of the Board.
(5) The quorum of any meeting of the Board is constituted by
half (or where that number is not a whole number the next
highest whole number) the number of directors in office.
(6) If there is a vacancy in the number of directors the Board
may continue to act but if the number of directors falls
below 3 the Board may only act for the purpose—
(a) of increasing the number of directors; or
(b) of convening a general meeting of the Society.
73. Functions of the Board
(1) The business and operations of the Society are to be
managed and controlled by the Board, and for that purpose
the Board, except as provided in the Act, has and may
exercise the powers of the Society as if they had been
expressly conferred on the Board by a general meeting of
the Society.
(2) The Board must pay due regard to guidelines concerning the
duties and conduct of directors issued by the Registrar from
time to time.
(3) The Board must ensure that minutes of the proceedings of
all general, Board and committee meetings are properly kept
and adopted, in accordance with the Regulations under the
Act.
(4) Subject to the Act, a director is entitled to receive such fees
for his or her services as are determined by the Society in
general meeting in accordance with the Regulations and is
entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses
incurred in his or her capacity as a director of the Society,
subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the Board and
verification by the Chairperson of the Board that the
amounts have been incurred for purposes approved by the
Board.
(5) At the end of each financial year the Board must ensure that
financial statements of the Society are prepared for that year
and must submit them with the auditor's report to the annual
general meeting of the Society.
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(6) The Board must ensure that—
(a) a copy of the financial statements and auditor's report
is sent to each member with the notice of annual
general meeting; and
(b) a copy of the financial statements and auditor's report
is displayed at the registered office of the Society for
at least 14 days before the date of the annual general
meeting.
(7) For the purposes of sub-rule (6)(a), the financial statements
and the auditor's report may be in any abridged format
approved by the Registrar from time to time, but—
(a) if the member requests a copy of the full financial
statements and the auditor's report, such a copy must
be sent to him or her; and
(b) if the society has—
(i) incurred a trading loss for the year; or
(ii) is carrying, or is about to distribute, a deficit; or
(iii) the auditor has qualified the financial
statements of the society—
a copy of the full financial statements and auditor's
report must be sent to each member of the society.
74. Chairperson
(1) The members of the Board must at the first meeting of the
Board and subsequently whenever there is a vacancy in the
office of Chairperson of the Board, elect one of their number
to be Chairperson.
(2) The Chairperson so elected holds office until he or she
ceases to be a director or until the next general meeting,
whichever occurs first.
(3) If no Chairperson has been elected or, if at any meeting of
the Board, the Chairperson is not present within 15 minutes
after the time appointed for the meeting, the directors
present may choose a temporary Chairperson for that
meeting.
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75. Committees
(1) The Board may establish committees comprising members
of the Board for any purpose and may delegate such
functions to each committee as it determines except that the
committees may not be given the power to act as if the
committee constituted the Board. All decisions on
recommendations of a committee must be made by a duly
constituted meeting of the Board.
(2) Any committee so formed must in the performance of its
functions comply with any conditions or stipulations that
may be imposed on it by the Board.
(3) All committee meetings must be held in the same manner as
meetings of the Board, and minutes of all proceedings must
be kept in the same manner as the Board minutes.
76. Secretary and management organisation
(1) The Board must appoint a Secretary of the Society and
specify his or her powers and duties.
(2) The Board may appoint an appropriate management
organisation for the management of the Society subject to
the direction of the Board.
(3) If the Board appoints a management organisation—
(a) the Board must fix the powers and duties of the
management organisation; and
(b) the management organisation must nominate a
suitably qualified individual to fill the position of
Secretary; and
(c) the contract with the management organisation must
be on a commercial basis and at arm's length; and
(d) the management organisation must agree to be bound
by these Rules.
(4) Subject to the Regulations, the Secretary or the management
organisation (if any) is entitled to receive the remuneration
determined by a general meeting of the Society.
77. Insurance
(1) The Board must ensure that section 53(3) of the Act is
complied with and that the secretary or management
organisation maintains the appropriate levels of insurance in
respect of their liability to the Society in respect of all
possible losses the Society may incur through the actions of
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the secretary or management organisation, and their staff
and officers.
(2) The Board shall ensure that each director has directors'
liability insurance to such an extent and in such a manner as
the Board so determines.
78. Vacation of office of director
The office of a director is vacated in the circumstances set
out in the Act and these Rules or otherwise by operation of
any law which prohibits a person becoming or remaining a
director or taking part in the management of a body
corporate and, if the Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal makes a guardianship or administration order in
respect of a director, that director immediately ceases to be a
director.
79. Borrowing by directors or officers
(1) A director or officer of the Society must not borrow from
the Society and the Society must not make an advance to a
director or officer, unless the members of the Society
authorise the advance by special resolution prior to the
making of the advance.
(2) If an advance is made in contravention of sub-rule (1) the
members of the Board who authorised the advance are
jointly and severally liable for any loss which the Society
suffers as a result of having made the advance.
(3) For the purposes of this Rule, employees of the management
organisation other than the secretary are not considered
officers of the Society provided that any advance made to
such employee is made on the normal terms and conditions
which apply to advances made by the Society and are made
in accordance with the requirements of these Rules, the
Regulations and the Act.
80. Financial year
The financial year of the Society ends on the date specified
in Appendix 1 to these Rules.
81. Banking
(1) The Board must ensure that an account in the name of the
Society is opened with a bank selected by the Board and that
all money received by the Society is paid into that account
as soon as possible after the money is received.
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(2) The Board may open such other accounts with such banks as
it deems suitable and as are required for the conduct of the
affairs of the Society.
(3) The Board may obtain from a bank at which it has an
account cheques drawn by the Society and may release the
bank and indemnify it from and against all claims actions or
demands which may be brought against the bank directly or
indirectly on the cheques or as a result of their surrender to
the Society.
(4) All cheques drawn on such accounts and all drafts, bills of
exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable
instruments for and on behalf of the Society must be signed
by one director or such other person as the Board authorises
from time to time provided that all payments to the
management organisation or secretary (by whatever means
made), must be individually authorised by a director and, if
paid by cheque, the cheque must be signed by a director.
82. Custody of books, securities etc.
The Board must ensure that all books of account, securities,
documents and papers of the Society are maintained by the
secretary or the management organisation at the registered
office of the Society or (in the case of any particular book,
security, document or paper) at another place that the Board
approves and must be kept in such manner and with such
provision for their safety as the Board agrees with the
secretary or management organisation.
83. Members' accounts
(1) The Board must ensure that each member is provided free of
charge with a periodic record of his or her loan account not
less than once every 6 months (or such longer period not
exceeding 12 months approved at a general meeting).
The Board must ensure that any member may inspect for
such fee as is set out in Appendix 2 his or her own account
in the books of the Society at any reasonable time.
(2) The Board must ensure that written notification is sent to
each affected member of variations in interest rates and
other charges within a reasonable time prior to the effective
date of each variation, provided that where the interest rate
or charges are varied below the current rate, no prior notice
is necessary.
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(3) Following distribution to each member of his or her share of
the surplus or deficit of the Society under Rule 22, the
Board must ensure that the next statement of loan account
issued in accordance with sub-rule (1) of this Rule clearly
explains to each member the basis of the distribution.
84. Management of society funds
(1) All money received by the Society must be directed towards
the payment of its debts, obligations and expenses incurred
in carrying out its objects.
(2) No management contract entered into by the Society may
contain a clause which would have the effect of releasing the
management organisation or the secretary from any liability
to the Society incurred as a result of any deficiency in the
management of the Society's affairs, and any such clause has
no effect.
85. Auditor
(1) An auditor of the Society who is a registered company
auditor and approved by the Registrar, must be appointed at
each annual general meeting to hold office until the next
annual general meeting.
(2) The first auditor may be appointed by the Board before the
first annual general meeting and if so appointed holds office
until the first annual general meeting unless the members
otherwise resolve.
(3) If the Society fails to appoint an auditor at an annual general
meeting, the Board must appoint an auditor for the current
financial year.
(4) The auditor appointed by the Society or the Board must not
otherwise be an officer of the Society.
(5) If a member wishes to nominate a person other than a
retiring auditor to be auditor, the member must give notice
of intention to nominate that person to the Board at least
14 days before the annual general meeting.
(6) The Board must give the retiring auditor a copy of any
notice received under sub-rule (5).
(7) The Board may fill any casual vacancy in the office of
auditor.
(8) The remuneration of the auditor is to be fixed by the Society
at a general meeting except that if the Board appoints an
auditor pursuant to sub-rule (2), (3) or (7), the Board may
fix the auditor's remuneration.
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(9) The auditor has a right of access to all of the books,
accounts, vouchers, securities and documents of the Society
and the directors and other officers must provide to the
auditor any information which the auditor considers
necessary for the performance of his or her duties as auditor.
The Board must ensure that any contract with the
management organisation provides for such access to be
given by the management organisation.
(10) The Board must ensure that all books, accounts, vouchers,
securities and documents are made available to the auditor.
(11) The Board must ensure that the accounts of the Society are
audited forthwith after the close of each financial year.
86. Settlement of disputes
(1) The Board must ensure that the secretary or the management
organisation has an internal process for resolving disputes
between members and the Society without charge to the
member.
(2) If a dispute between a member, in his or her capacity as a
member, and the Society cannot be resolved, the dispute
must be referred to an external and impartial party for
determination free of cost to the member.
(3) This Rule does not apply to a dispute relating to the
construction or effect of a term of a mortgage or of any
contract contained in a document other than these Rules.
(4) For the purposes of this Rule, a dispute relating wholly to
the construction or effect of any of these Rules is not to be
taken to be a dispute as to the construction or effect of a
mortgage by reason only that the mortgagor has covenanted
under the mortgage to observe these Rules or that in a
mortgage the rights and obligations of the parties are
expressed by reference to these Rules.
87. Notices
(1) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, a notice may
be given by the Society to any member by delivering it to
the member personally or by sending it by pre-paid post
addressed to the member—
(a) if the member has given the Society an address for the
giving of notice, at that address; or
(b) in any other case, at the member's last registered
address.
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(2) Any notice sent by pre-paid post is deemed to have been
given 2 business days after the letter containing the notice
has been posted in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
(3) A notice to joint holders of shares may be given by giving
the notice to the joint holder named first in the register in
respect of the shares.
(4) A notice may be given to any person entitled to shares in
consequence of the death, bankruptcy or insolvency of a
member or in consequence of a member having made an
arrangement or composition with the member's creditors by
sending it by pre-paid post to such a person or, if the address
of that person is not able to be ascertained, by sending the
notice addressed to such person at the last registered address
of the member.
88. Shares not to be listed
The shares of the Society must not be quoted for sale or
purchase at any stock exchange or in any other public
manner whatever.
89. Winding up voluntarily
(1) The Society must commence winding up procedures when
all the liabilities of the Society to persons other than its
members are discharged.
(2) Winding up procedures must be commenced within
3 months of the Society discharging such liability, or such
later date as is approved by the Registrar.
(3) The winding up of the Society must be in accordance with
Division 4 of Part III of the Act.
90. Winding-up—Termination
The Society is to terminate when it has been wound up.
91. Distribution on winding up
(1) If, at the completion of the winding up of the Society,
surplus funds remain (accumulated surplus, statutory reserve
and other profit or surplus of the Society), these funds must
be distributed equally amongst those former borrowing
members of the Society who discharged their liability to the
Society within a period of 3 years prior to the
commencement of the winding up of the Society, or within
such other period as is approved by the Registrar.
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(2) If an eligible former member cannot be found, his or her
share is to be treated in accordance with the legislation
relating to unclaimed monies.
92. Charges payable by a member
(1) In addition to principal payments and interest, rates and
taxes, and any necessary contributions to a deficit of the
Society as provided for in these Rules, a member is liable to
pay only those fees, charges and other costs as prescribed in
Appendix 2 or a subsequent registered alteration of
Appendix 2.
(2) A list of the fees, charges and other costs payable by a
member must be furnished in the form of Appendix 2 to any
person intending to become a member and to all members
after any changes to that Appendix.
(3) In any financial year in which the Society has paid or is
liable to pay a supervision levy to the Registrar, (or its
successors or assigns), the Board may, in that same financial
year or the next succeeding financial year, charge the
account of a member who has an advance from the Society
an amount not greater than the total levy divided by the
number of current borrowing members of the Society at the
time the Board authorised payment of the charge, or a
specified amount or a specified percentage of an amount
determined by the Registrar. The amount of such charge to
a member's account must be notified in writing to that
member.
(4) In any period in which the Society has paid, or is liable to
pay bank accounts debit tax or any similar fee which may be
imposed by Government from time to time, the account of
the member may be charged with an amount equivalent to
such fee or such lesser amount, as may be determined from
time to time by the Board.
(5) In this Rule, "interest" means the interest payable by a
borrowing member in accordance with Rule 39.
93. Expulsion
No member may be expelled from the Society, but a
member may cease to be a member in accordance with the
Rules.
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94. Goodwill
(1) An outgoing management organisation which has no officer
or employee who holds a position as director of the Society,
or an outgoing secretary, may accept a commission, fee or
reward, (whether pecuniary or otherwise), from the new
management organisation or secretary, if—
(a) the total value of the commission, fee or reward has
been disclosed to and approved by the Board; and
(b) there is no direct or related cost to the Society or its
members.
(2) The existence of any commission, fee or reward must be
disclosed in the first annual financial statements of the
Society prepared after the appointment of the new
management organisation or secretary.
95. Rates and taxes
(1) The Board may, at any time after a member has received an
advance upon his or her shares or any of them, require him
or her to pay, in addition to any other sum which under the
Rules he or she is required to pay, such an amount at each
periodical payment date as will, in the estimation of the
Board, aggregate in each calendar year to the amount
necessary to discharge all rates and taxes which, in that year,
will be payable in respect of the property the security for the
advance, to any municipality or to any land tax, water
supply or sewerage or drainage authority. All such money so
collected by the Society must be applied by it in discharging
those rates and taxes; and if in any year the money is
insufficient for that purpose, the Board may make up the
deficiency out of the funds of the Society and thereupon the
Society has the right to recover the amount as money paid
for and on account of the member concerned.
(2) If the contributions paid in any year by a member under this
Rule exceed the amount of the rates and taxes for that year,
the Society must, after payment of those rates and taxes,
hold the balance to the credit of the member and may, as the
Board decides, refund the balance to the member or hold it
to be applied toward payment of the rates and taxes in the
next year.
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96. Distribution on assignment of mortgages
(1) If the Society proposes to transfer or assign its mortgages
under section 33(1A) or 33(1B) of the Act, it must—
(a) prepare an estimate of the distributable amount for
each borrowing member as at the date of the proposed
transfer or assignment on the basis of the latest
financial statements and shareholdings; and
(b) seek the approval of its members to the transaction
according to procedures determined by the Registrar.
(2) If the Society assigns its mortgages under section 33(1A) or
33(1B) of the Act, the Society must make a distribution as at
the date of the assignment to its borrowing members
following the assignment, on the same basis, as nearly as
practicable to the annual distribution under Rule 22 or on
such other basis as is approved by the Registrar.
(3) The amount of the statutory reserve of the Society, less an
amount approved by the Registrar that is required to meet
the reasonable costs of winding up the Society is to be added
to the distributable amount calculated in accordance with
sub-rule (2) and is to be distributed to borrowing members
accordingly.
(4) The Society must prepare, and have audited, financial
statements as at the date of the assignment and must make
the distribution on the basis of those financial statements.
(5) This rule does not apply to the extent that the Registrar
makes a contrary determination.
97. Preparation of accounts on transfer or merger
(1) If the Society proposes to transfer its engagements to, or
merge with, another society, the Society, in accordance with
section 11 of the Act, must prepare an estimate of the
distributable amount for each member from the latest
financial records and shareholdings of the Society and
submit the estimate to each member.
(2) The Society must make all its financial statements and
records available to the society to which its engagements are
to be transferred or to the merged society (as the case may
be).
(3) Sub-rule (1) does not apply if the Registrar makes a contrary
determination under any of his or her powers under
section 11 of the Act.
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98. Distribution on transfer
(1) This rule applies if the Society accepts a voluntary transfer
of the engagements of another society.
(2) The Society must—
(a) make a distribution to the borrowing members who
came from the transferor society from the funds
received from the transferor society; and
(b) make a distribution to its other borrowing members
from its other funds—
on the same basis, as nearly as practicable, to the annual
distribution under Rules 22 and 23.
(3) The Society must prepare, and have audited, financial
statements in relation to the Society and the transferor
society as at the date of the transfer and must make the
distributions on the basis of those audited financial
statements.
(4) The amount of the statutory reserve of the transferor society
as at the date of transfer less the amount (if any) paid out to
the members under sub-rule (2)(a) is to be added to the
statutory reserve of the Society.
99. Distribution by merged society
(1) If the Society is a society formed by the merger of 2 or more
societies, the Society must make a distribution to the
borrowing members of those societies, as at the date of the
merger, on the same basis, as nearly as practicable, to the
annual distribution under Rules 22 and 23.
(2) The Society must prepare, and have audited, financial
statements of each of the societies as at the date of the
merger and must make the distribution on the basis of those
audited financial statements.
__________________
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APPENDIX 1
PARTICULARS OF SOCIETY
Item Rule Matter
1. (Rule No. 1) Name of Society:
2. (Rule No. 3) Registered Office of Society:
3. (Rule No. 66(1)) Number of Directors of Board of
Society:
4. (Rule No. 80) Financial Year of Society, year ending:
__________________
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APPENDIX 2
FEES AND CHARGES
Item Matter Amount
FIXED FEES, COSTS AND CHARGES
WHICH ARE TO FORM PART OF THE
SOCIETY'S MANAGEMENT INCOME
1. Entrance Fee 0.50c per share
2. Consent to second mortgage $40
3. Consent to each subsequent mortgage $40
4. Production of Certificate of Title for registration
or discharge of second or subsequent mortgage
or at member's request
$30
5. Supplying to a solicitor, bank or other authorised
institution or person (not being the member)
particulars of title of a security or information
concerning a member's account (except in
connection with discharge of the member's
liability to the Society, when the fee shall be nil)
$20
6. Granting consent to a proposed sale of land
being part of the security
$100
7. Granting consent to a proposed purchase of land
to be added to the security
$100
8. Photocopy of documents—per sheet—together
with fee for service of—
0.40c
(a) where the document is held by the society $10
(b) where the document is held elsewhere
except when the documents are to be
provided to a member and the Rules provide
that such documents are to be provided to
the members free of charge or the rules and
other Appendix 2 entries prescribe that other
fees apply
$20
9. Consent to lease of security premises $30
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Item Matter Amount
10. Supplying a member statement of account
(in addition to periodical statement provided for
in Rules) on request of the member
$10
11. Change of particulars of proprietor(s) on security
documents resulting from change of name by:
Deed Poll, Marriage, Divorce, Property
settlement or for other legal reasons
$40
12. Supplying a credit reference (on the written
approval of the member)
$20
13. Production of Certificate of Title to the
Registrar-General or the Registrar of Titles,
(where this is done by the Society and not by the
Society's solicitor) except when in connection
with a discharge of the member's liability to the
Society when the fee shall be nil
$40
14. Substitution of security (only when not in
connection with the approval of a new advance
to a member)
$100
15. Action on Dishonour of member's cheque $25 (in
addition to
reimbursement
of any bank
charges)
16. Supplying an interest certificate (on request of
the member)
$20
17. Copy of Rules (section 46(2)) except when the
Rules provide that a copy of the Rules are to be
provided to the member free of charge
0.25c
18. Inspection of Account (section 56(6)) 0.20c
19. Early repayment fee—Refer to withdrawal fee
20. Collection of arrears fee, when the whole or any
part of a loan repayment remains unpaid for 30
days or more
$20 per month
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Item Matter Amount
FORMULA BASED FEES, COSTS AND
CHARGES WHICH ARE TO FORM PART OF
THE MANAGEMENT INCOME OF THE
SOCIETY
21. Management fees— Either 0.05c
per share per
month or 0.03c
per share per
month, plus
account charge
of $8.80 per
month per
member;
or
0·6% per
annum on the
loan balance
outstanding at
the end of the
month;
in either case
with a
maximum of
$18.75 per
month for
Home Purchase
Assistance
Account and
Housing
Assistance
Scheme
societies.
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Item Matter Amount
22. Withdrawal Fee and Transfer Fee: The lesser of:
an amount
equal to one
month's interest
on the
outstanding
loan balance,
or $1 per share,
with a
minimum fee
of $145.
The minimum
to be adjusted
annually by an
amount
equivalent to
the CPI.
FEES, COSTS AND CHARGES ON A
REIMBURSEMENT BASIS (NOT PART OF
THE MANAGEMENT INCOME OF THE
SOCIETY)
23. Valuation fee
24. Inspection of property fee—Refer to Valuation
Fee when inspection performed by a valuator,
otherwise nil
25. BAD Tax in accordance with the Rules
26. Insurance premiums where payable to society in
accordance with the Rules
27. Survey fees
28. Titles Office registration fees for creation,
variation and discharge of mortgage
29. Legal costs of borrower and society relating to
creation, variation or discharge of mortgage, or
default thereunder
30. Member's reimbursement of Supervision Levy in
accordance with the Rules
31. Rates and taxes on the security property pursuant
to Rule 95
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ENDNOTES
1 Reg. 4: S.R. No. 8/1995 as amended by S.R. Nos. 49/2000 and 62/2001.
Endnotes
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