Basic Agreement and Project Proposition
Table of Contents
Difference between a Basic Agreement and a Project Proposal
The project proposal contains the basic agreement and includes other information such as the proposed physical location of the NBC. Basically, the project proposal describes what we want to do. The Basic Agreement describes what we do. Once the purchase of the property is made, the project proposal becomes null and void and only the basic agreement remains.
NOTE: The elements described here are designed according to the typical needs of homads Residents agree to respect the principles described in this agreement. Once the purchase of the building has been concluded, residents may modify this agreement in part or in whole. These decisions will be taken in accordance with the principles of governance: NVC, sociocracy, restoration circles (see section on governance).
Operation Guide
A small group of people will establish a basic agreement which will then be proposed on this site in the Project Proposals section. Interested people will then be able to commit on the basis of this proposal.
Only once the owners occupy the NBC, it will be possible to modify all or part of the basic agreement according to the principles of sociocracy.
For example, if an NBC is music-focused and there is a plan to build or fit out a recording studio, there will be major objections if someone proposes to build a gym instead. It would be wiser to propose a new project that will integrate a gym from the start. Another example: if the agreement stipulates that there is a Community Building period of 4 months, it would be easier to propose changing it to 3 months.
You can view the list of project proposals offered in NBC’s Project Proposals section. You can then contact the resource persons for this project. If you do not find any proposal that suits you, I invite you to write your own proposal and submit it to me. We can discuss it and add it to the existing list. Similarly, if a project is complete, it is possible to launch another identical proposal.
This section will be revised following discussions with interested homads. I am open to all comments and suggestions.
Governance
Decisions will be made in accordance with the principles of sociocracy (see governance section)
Each future homade agrees to follow a basic training (to be determined) of a maximum of one week on the principles of sociocracy and NVC.
The training must be completed before the signing of the purchase by the homade candidate so that he (she) can make an informed choice.
Residents agree to participate in decision-making meetings (face-to-face or by video).
In the weeks following the initial possession of the NBC, there will be a week where there will be a meeting every night. A guide will be mandated to guide the meetings in accordance with the principles of sociocracy during this week. Thereafter, there will be one meeting per week on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. until the basic agreement is satisfactory. Once the basic agreement is stabilized, meetings can be held less frequently.
Place of Residence and Vocation of the NBC
Location
The property will be purchased or built in the area of ___
a) Within 5 Km of the village of Tamarindo, Costa Rica but not directly in the village.
b) this NBC will be located within 15 minutes of a surfable beach on the west coast of Costa Rica.
Vocation
A particular vocation could be determined
a) The NBC will be focused on the practice of yoga: a practice room will be arranged or built on the site.
b) The NBC will focus on the practice of surfing. Courses and equipment may be offered (micro business)
Other particularities
In addition to the particular vocation, other particularities could be put forward
a) This NBC will be located in Costa Rica and will have English as the main language of communication
b) This NBC will be designed according to the needs of families
Community Building Period
To create a sense of belonging and lasting social ties, residents agree to stay on site for a period of time determined: the period of Community Building. This clause is not mandatory but strongly encouraged: it is the raison d’être of NBCs.
The Community Building period can therefore vary from 0 to 12 months: typically it will be 4 months.
0 months: no period of Community building, we no longer speak of homads but simply of nomads
1 to 11 months: Community Building Period: homads
12 months: No homads or nomads: residents are sedentary but adopt the co-living lifestyle sedentary people can take a few weeks or months off to travel sporadically but basically they are not nomads.
NOTE: Homads are not required to fully respect the Community Building period. However, as an incentive, no rentals are permitted during the Community Building period. Residents may modify this agreement as they see fit in accordance with the principles of sociocracy and only after taking possession of the NBC. Similarly, the period of nomadism is optional: a nomad can decide not to travel for a year. A nomad can even decide to become sedentary.
Remote Work
NBCs are living spaces intended for homads: digital nomads with a home. Therefore, conditions conducive to teleworking will be established. For example:
Co-Working Space
NBCs are living spaces intended for homads: digital nomads with a home. Therefore, conditions conducive to teleworking will be established: for example:
Internet
High-speed Internet connection (as far as the place allows it)
Parties
No parties on a regular basis
quiet time: from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. except Friday evening and Saturday evening
Location
To maintain an atmosphere conducive to teleworking and the creation of social ties, there will be no short-term rentals. Only long term rentals will be permitted: minimum of 1 month only outside the Community Building period.
Candidates will be selected as a priority from the NBC network: apartment exchange formula. Candidates will be interviewed prior to selection.
Guests
Nomads can receive guests day and night.
The costs incurred by the guests are the responsibility of the person who invites.
If people are invited by the group, the costs are borne by the group.
Guests staying for more than a week must obtain the agreement of the group.
Here is an example of our agreement in our co-living:
Rental fees are split as 50% for the private space and 50% for the room if the guest stays more than 2 nights (a weekend). So if I am alone and I have a guest for one or two nights: no charge. For one month: I have to pay 150% of my normal monthly rent.
Sale
If a resident decides to sell and there is an agreement on the price, the apartment can be bought by a member selected by the other residents at the agreed price.
If there is no agreement on the candidate or on the price, the seller can put his apartment up for sale on the open market.
Once a buyer has been found with a determined price, the residents will have a right of precedence over the purchase: they will be able to buy the apartment at the price agreed between the buyer and the seller. Residents can then use the apartment as they see fit.
If the residents do not become buyers then the purchase will be made normally.
Food, cleaning, maintenance, construction / renovation
Several formulas are possible:
a) Homads have absolutely nothing to do.
Ex: One or more employees are hired full or part time to perform all the tasks. Maintenance, repair or renovation work is contracted out.
b) Homads do part of the chores
Ex: A cook comes on site twice a week to prepare 10 meals per person per week.
A person comes to clean the common areas once a week
Repair or renovation work is contracted out or done by residents as appropriate.
c) Homads do everything
Ex: Residents take turns preparing meals and doing household chores
Residents share the household chores to be done each month (cleaning, lawn, garden, snow removal, etc.)
Repair or renovation work is carried out by residents
d) Any other possible combination
Selection of Homads
For the initial selection before purchase: each candidate is interviewed with the already existing group.
In other words, from the moment a candidate is accepted, he will have to actively engage in the process of selecting other residents.
When leaving, same process: residents will interview all interested candidates.
The new resident agrees to respect the project proposal and the basic agreement.
This approach also applies to the selection of tenants.
Equipment Sharing
Some equipment could be offered for common use: car, boat, surfboards, etc.
Ex: an electric car will be shared for residents. Costs will be shared based on usage.
Legal Aspects
The legal aspects will be determined according to the specificities of each NBC as well as according to the specificities of each country. For example, a reserve amount will be requested for long-term property maintenance costs.
For example, for the purchase: In Quebec the law gives 10 days to the new owner to change your mind after signing the purchase.
We will respect the laws in each legislation but we will be more flexible for their applications.
In the case of an NBC, the purchase process will not be triggered before the deadline of 10 days after the sale of the last apartment will be elapsed.
So before the 10-day period after the last buyer has signed the deed of purchase, any buyer can withdraw. 10 days after the last signature, the purchase procedure will be initiated, which will incur costs accordingly. If a buyer wants to withdraw after this date, he will have to follow the usual sale procedure.
Buyers will be kept informed of the progress of sales and particularly when the last sale will be made.
This will allow them to be able to withdraw their purchase offer without any obligation or commitment.