TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A legal disclaimer

No Attorney-Client Relationship

Nothing on this website creates or is intended to create an attorney-client relationship between visitors and the Eco Village Co-op or any affiliated legal professionals.

Investment Disclaimer

Any information regarding cooperative membership, housing investments, or financial projections is not intended as investment advice. Prospective members should consult with qualified financial and legal professionals before making any investment decisions related to cooperative housing.

No Guarantee of Housing Availability

Information about housing units, pricing, and availability is subject to change without notice. The Eco Village Co-op does not guarantee housing availability or specific terms until formal membership agreements are executed.

Michigan Law Governs

This website and any disputes arising from its use shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Third-Party Content

This website may contain links to third-party websites or services. The Eco Village Co-op is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of external sites.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE ECO VILLAGE CO-OP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE.

Terms & Conditions - the basics

Last Updated: September 10, 2025

Welcome to the Eco Village Co-op website. By accessing or using our website (www.ecovillageco-op.org), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this website.

2. ABOUT THE ECO VILLAGE CO-OP

The Eco Village Co-op is a Michigan nonprofit corporation organized under the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act (Act 162 of 1982) and Michigan Cooperative Housing Law (Act 293 of 1937). We are developing sustainable, attainable housing communities based on cooperative principles.

3. USE OF WEBSITE

Permitted Use

You may use this website for lawful purposes only, including:

Learning about cooperative housing and sustainable living
Exploring membership opportunities
Accessing educational resources about ecovillages
Communicating with our team regarding legitimate inquiries

Prohibited Use

You may not:

Use this website for any unlawful purpose or activity
Interfere with or disrupt the website's functionality
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
Submit false or misleading information
Violate any applicable laws or regulations

4. MEMBERSHIP AND HOUSING INFORMATION

No Binding Commitment

Information provided about cooperative membership, housing units, or community features does not constitute a binding offer or guarantee. All housing arrangements are subject to:

Completion of the formal membership application process
Board approval
Execution of cooperative membership agreements
Compliance with applicable zoning and building codes

Cooperative Structure

As a housing cooperative organized under Michigan law, members purchase shares in the cooperative corporation rather than owning individual units. Membership rights and responsibilities are governed by:

Articles of Incorporation
Corporate Bylaws
Membership Agreements
House Rules and Policies

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our Content

All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of the Eco Village Co-op or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

User Submissions

By submitting content to our website (comments, testimonials, etc.), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and distribute such content in connection with our mission.

6. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information through this website.

7. DISCLAIMERS

No Warranties

This website is provided "AS IS" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Environmental and Sustainability Claims

While we strive for environmental sustainability, specific environmental benefits and energy savings may vary based on individual usage, weather conditions, and other factors beyond our control.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Eco Village Co-op shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from your use of this website or inability to use this website.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Eco Village Co-op, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of this website or violation of these Terms.

10. MODIFICATION OF TERMS

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updated terms will be posted on this website with the revision date. Your continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

11. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Michigan law. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Charlevoix County, Michigan, or federal courts with jurisdiction in the Western District of Michigan.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact:

Eco Village Co-op
Boyne City, Michigan
Email: info@ecovillageco-op.org

ADDITIONAL LEGAL NOTICES

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Eco Village Co-op is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user experience for everyone and apply relevant accessibility standards.

If you experience any difficulty accessing content or features on our website, please contact us at info@ecovillageco-op.org so we can assist you.

DMCA COPYRIGHT NOTICE

If you believe material on our website infringes your copyright, please provide written notice including:

Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
Location of the allegedly infringing material on our website
Your contact information (name, address, phone, email)
A statement of good faith belief that the use is not authorized
A statement of accuracy made under penalty of perjury
Your physical or electronic signature

Send notices to: DMCA Agent, Eco Village Co-op, Boyne City, Michigan

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLAIMERS

Projected environmental benefits, energy savings, and sustainability metrics are estimates based on available data and may vary due to factors including:

Weather conditions and seasonal variations
Individual usage patterns and behaviors
Equipment performance and maintenance
Local utility rates and energy sources

Actual results may differ from projections. The Eco Village Co-op makes no guarantees regarding specific environmental outcomes.

FAIR HOUSING STATEMENT

The Eco Village Co-op is committed to fair housing practices and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, and local fair housing laws.

All persons are welcome to apply for membership regardless of background. Membership decisions are based solely on cooperative housing criteria, including financial qualifications, commitment to cooperative principles, and community compatibility.

COOPERATIVE HOUSING NOTICE

Important Information About Cooperative Ownership

Membership in the Eco Village Co-op involves purchasing shares in a cooperative corporation, not individual real estate ownership. Key differences include:

Share Ownership: Members own shares in the cooperative, not individual units
Occupancy Rights: Share ownership provides the right to occupy a specific unit
Democratic Governance: Members participate in cooperative decision-making
Mutual Responsibility: Members share common expenses and responsibilities
Transfer Restrictions: Share transfers may require board approval
Financing Differences: Cooperative financing differs from traditional mortgages

Prospective members should consult with legal and financial professionals familiar with cooperative housing before making membership commitments.

SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN CLAIMS

The Eco Village Co-op strives to operate sustainably and reduce environmental impact through:

Energy-efficient building design and renewable energy systems
Sustainable building materials and construction practices
Water conservation and waste reduction programs
Local food production and permaculture practices
Community sharing to reduce individual consumption

However, we cannot guarantee specific environmental outcomes, and actual performance may vary based on numerous factors beyond our control.

FINANCIAL DISCLAIMERS

No Financial Advice

Information about cooperative membership costs, monthly fees, or potential appreciation is not financial advice. Prospective members should consult qualified financial advisors before making investment decisions.

No Guarantee of Financial Performance

Cooperative share values may fluctuate. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Members may lose money on their cooperative investment.

Additional Costs

Membership may involve costs beyond initial share purchases, including monthly fees, special assessments, utilities, and maintenance costs.

ZONING AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Development of Eco Village Co-op properties is subject to:

Local zoning and land use regulations
State and federal environmental regulations
Building codes and safety requirements
Utility availability and capacity
Permit approval processes

Project timelines and features may change based on regulatory requirements and approval processes.

WEBSITE TERMS

Governing Law

These legal notices and all website use is governed by Michigan state law without regard to conflict of law principles.

Severability

If any provision of these notices is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

Updates

These legal notices may be updated periodically. Please check this page regularly for changes.

Contact for Legal Notices

For questions about these legal notices, contact:
Eco Village Co-op Legal Department
Boyne City, Michigan
Email: legal@ecovillageco-op.org