Dear members,
We’ve noticed that it’s not always clear what a housing association is, so here are answers to some common questions.

What is a housing association?

A housing association, is an economic association that you, as a resident in the association, co-own with your neighbors. When you buy a condominium, you’re essentially purchasing the right to reside in the property you buy—not the property itself, which is owned by the association. Your right to live in your unit is valid for an indefinite period, as long as you adhere to the rules and bylaws of the housing association. In other words, the association comprises all of us who reside in the housing association.

What is a board?

A board consists of members/residents of the association who voluntarily work on managing and developing the association in their free time. The composition of the board is decided at the annual meeting. Members can be elected as board members or substitutes. A board member’s term is typically 1 or 2 years. The allocation of roles within the board is determined by the board itself during a subsequent organizational meeting. It’s beneficial to have a mix of experienced members who have served for a few years and newcomers with fresh ideas and motivation. There’s no obligation to serve on the board for multiple years if one doesn’t wish to or cannot, just as there’s the possibility of serving for multiple years if desired and re-elected. For the best interests of the association, there should be some rotation of individuals on the board. It becomes vulnerable if only a few (and the same) people are elected, and it places a heavy burden on those individuals. Here, we all need to support each other within the association. Currently, our board consists of 7 members, but we aim to increase this to a total of 10 after the annual meeting.

The board is proposed by the nominating committee and determined by the assembly. If you’re interested in learning more about serving on the board or expressing interest, please contact the nominating committee at valberedningen@brfbarkarbymetropol.se

What is a nominating committee?

A nominating committee also consists of members of the association. Its mission is to propose suitable candidates for the board for members to vote on at the annual meeting. The nominating committee also selects candidates for the next year’s nominating committee. The nominating committee is elected for 1 year, and their primary work occurs during the spring leading up to the annual meeting, where they search for and handle applications from suitable candidates. Currently, the nominating committee consists of 2 individuals, but we hope to have 3 members after the annual meeting.

If you’re interested in joining the nominating committee, please contact them at valberedningen@brfbarkarbymetropol.se

What could happen if there’s no board?

If there aren’t enough members on the board, it could eventually lead to the dissolution or conversion of the housing association into rental units, resulting in the loss of all value in the apartments. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance that we all work together to ensure we have an adequate number of members on the board and nominating committee.

What are your responsibilities and obligations as a member?

As a member, you’re obligated to follow the rules outlined in the bylaws. Failure to do so could result in expulsion from the association and forced sale. Members are responsible for everything within their units, including maintenance and repairs. The association is responsible for the common areas, meaning all members share responsibility for these areas. The board has hired a manager to assist with cleaning and maintenance, but the responsibility still lies with the association. You can find more information on our website in the FAQ section and in our bylaws regarding what applies.

How can you influence matters if you’re not on the board?

As a member, there are several ways to influence. You can always submit proposals for changes/activities to the annual meeting, known as a motion. During the meeting, all attendees vote on the proposal to determine whether the board should further consider it.

In addition to submitting motions, you’re always welcome to contribute by sending suggestions to the board’s email, participating in cleanup activities with your neighbors, offering your services for specific tasks, etc. We’re all part of the association, and we all contribute to how we want our community to be perceived. We’re a large association with many members, but it’s not helpful if everyone thinks it’s someone else’s responsibility. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Would you like to know more?

If you’re interested in learning more about what it means to be a board member/substitute or expressing interest in being elected for the upcoming term, please reach out to us in the board or the nominating committee, and we’ll provide more information!

styrelsen@brfbarkarbymetropol.se and valberedningen@brfbarkarbymetropol.se