01
≈ 4%
non-profit apartments in Switzerland
share nationwide
UrbanHome guide · Renting
Finding a cooperative apartment: How to apply in Switzerland
Cooperative apartments are often cheaper and offer greater long-term security than comparable private-market rentals, but vacancies are rare and allocation rules vary widely. This guide explains where to find vacancies, how membership, cooperative shares, occupancy and income requirements work, and how to prepare a targeted application.
Author: Nikita von Niederhäuser, UrbanHome real estate expert Updated: · Reading time: approx. 19 minutes
02
≈ 27%
non-profit apartments in Zurich
substantially higher than the national figure
03
8–20%
average rent difference
depending on the statistical comparison
04
20–40
regional providers to monitor
rather than only the largest cooperatives
Basics
Cost-based rent.
Membership.
Housing security.
A housing cooperative is owned by its members and generally aims to keep housing permanently out of speculation.
Non-profit housing in Switzerland
01
Cost-based rent instead of maximum returns
A housing cooperative belongs to its members. It generally aims to keep housing permanently outside speculation and manage it according to the principle of cost-based rent. Rents are intended to cover actual costs rather than generate the highest possible return.
02
Tenants can be members
Depending on the model, tenants are also members and contribute capital through cooperative shares. In return, they receive participation rights, for example at the general meeting, and often greater long-term housing security.
03
Non-profit housing goes beyond cooperatives
Not every non-profit apartment belongs to a cooperative. Foundations, associations, non-profit companies, municipalities and cities can also provide affordable housing.
Supply and demand
Why cooperative apartments are in such high demand
According to Swiss non-profit housing statistics, such apartments account for just under four per cent of housing nationwide. The share is much higher in urban areas; in Zurich it is currently around 27 per cent. [1] [2]
On average, non-profit apartments cost less than comparable homes outside the sector. Depending on the comparison, federal statistics report rent differences of roughly eight to 20 per cent. Floor space per person is also lower overall. [1]
In many places demand far exceeds supply. Popular cooperatives have few vacancies for external applicants because members remain for a long time and internal moves may take priority.
The good news: individual relets, replacement developments and first lettings arise regularly. Monitoring several cooperatives systematically and preparing your documents greatly improves your chances.
Types of housing explained
Cooperative, non-profit, municipal or subsidised?
These terms are often confused, but they do not mean the same thing.
01
Cooperative
Cooperative apartment
Apartment owned by a housing cooperative; membership and share capital are often linked to the lease.
Typical rules: Articles of association and letting regulations.
02
Non-profit
Non-profit apartment
Umbrella term for non-profit housing supplied by cooperatives, foundations, associations, municipalities or non-profit companies.
Typical rules: Cost-based rent and dedicated purpose.
03
Public
Municipal apartment
Apartment owned by a municipality or city. Allocation follows the authority’s own public rules.
Occupancy, income, assets, residence or urgency may be relevant.
04
Supported
Subsidised apartment
Publicly supported apartment with a reduced rent.
Binding limits on income, assets and occupancy may apply.
05
Unsubsidised
Unsubsidised cooperative apartment
Cooperative apartment without a direct subsidy.
The cooperative may nevertheless apply its own allocation criteria.
Apartment search
In
8
Where to find available cooperative apartments.
A successful search involves monitoring several cooperatives, developments, municipalities and advertising channels in parallel.
Key principle
Do not monitor only the largest providers
01
Providers
List cooperatives
Make a list of all cooperatives in your target area, not just the best-known large providers.
02
Direct channels
Newsletters and vacancy alerts
Subscribe directly to newsletters, vacancy alerts and project updates on the cooperatives’ websites.
03
Other providers
Cities, foundations and associations
Also check municipal housing portals, foundations, first lettings and regional non-profit housing associations.
04
Region
Include surrounding municipalities
Also search in surrounding municipalities with good rail and suburban-train connections.
05
New developments
Monitor projects early
Follow new-build and replacement projects several months before the first move-ins.
06
UrbanHome
Set up a search alert
Set up an UrbanHome search alert for rental properties, first lettings and suitable municipalities.
07
Rules
Save letting regulations
Save the letting regulations and publication schedules of the main cooperatives.
08
Organisation
Track applications
Maintain a table recording deadlines, occupancy requirements, capital needs, status and result of each application.
Allocation system
Waiting list or direct advertising?
A common misconception is that you must first become a member and wait for years on one central list. In reality, allocation systems differ greatly.
01
Familienheim Housing Cooperative Zurich
No external waiting list
The Familienheim housing cooperative in Zurich has no waiting list for apartments available to external applicants. Vacancies are advertised online, and membership starts only when the lease is signed. Existing members may receive priority for internal moves. [3]
02
City of Zurich
Apply for specific apartments
The City of Zurich also has no waiting list for municipal apartments. Interested people apply for individual listings; some viewing places are allocated by lottery. [4]
Other cooperatives use different systems
Other cooperatives keep internal or external lists of interested applicants. Registration can help, but does not always replace an application for a specific property. Always read the rules of the provider concerned.
Membership and financing
Membership and cooperative shares
Each cooperative decides whether people can join before finding an apartment. Some grant membership only when a lease is signed; others also admit people who do not rent from them.
Allocation criteria
How to interpret occupancy rules
Occupancy rules help make efficient use of scarce housing.
01
Common basic rule
Number of rooms minus one
A common rule states that the minimum number of permanent residents equals the number of rooms minus one. Thus, a 4.5-room apartment would require at least three residents.
The specific rule can be stricter. For certain FGZ family apartments, the number of rooms must sometimes equal the number of people; single parents receive particular consideration in the occupancy calculation. [3]
02
ABZ
Permanent residents count
ABZ generally signs new leases subject to a minimum occupancy rule of rooms minus one. People count if they live there permanently as their registered main residence; children in substantial shared-care arrangements may be counted according to the rules. [5]
Also check what happens if the apartment becomes underoccupied later. Some cooperatives require a move to a smaller apartment after a transition period; others offer internal transfers.
Financial criteria
Income, assets and target groups
There is no nationwide income limit for ordinary unsubsidised cooperative apartments. However, a cooperative may consider financial affordability, social mix or need as allocation criteria.
Publicly subsidised apartments are subject to binding limits on income, assets and occupancy. These vary according to canton, municipality, support programme, household size and apartment.
A high income therefore does not automatically rule out an application everywhere. It may, however, affect eligibility or priority for affordable or subsidised apartments.
Always provide complete and truthful information about income and household composition. False statements can lead to rejection, subsequent contractual consequences or loss of a subsidised apartment.
Application documents
Documents you should prepare
- fully completed online or paper application form;
- recent debt-enforcement register extract for every adult applicant;
- latest tax assessment or requested tax details;
- for withholding tax: withholding-tax certificate or recent payslips;
- proof of household composition and, where applicable, childcare arrangements;
- residence permit, if requested;
- proof of affordability for self-employment, pensions or irregular income;
- short, property-specific motivation, if requested;
- proof that cooperative capital can be financed, only when expressly requested;
- additional documents for subsidised, senior, student or family housing.
1
Up to date
Renew documents in good time
2
Consistent
The form and supporting documents must match
Application
In
10
Application step by step.
From checking the listing to signing a binding lease.
Important
Check first, then respond quickly
01
Read the listing and regulations
Read the listing, articles of association and letting regulations in full.
02
Check the criteria
First check occupancy, target group, income, residence and capital requirements.
03
Prepare access to the portal
Register on the required portal early and check that your login works.
04
Prepare your PDF documents
Prepare clearly legible PDF documents with unambiguous file names.
05
Apply quickly and selectively
Apply promptly, but only for apartments whose requirements you genuinely meet.
06
Keep information consistent
Keep household details consistent and avoid discrepancies between the form and supporting documents.
07
Arrange a viewing
Attend the viewing or arrange an authorised representative in good time.
08
Confirm your interest
Confirm your interest after viewing within the deadline provided.
09
Review an offer carefully
If offered an apartment, check the lease, articles, cooperative capital, deposit and occupancy duties.
10
Do not terminate your current lease too early
Give notice on your current apartment only when the new lease has been concluded and is binding.
Interactive check
Cooperative application readiness check
Tick every statement that applies to your current application.
Readiness score:
!
Preparation only
This check does not entitle you to a viewing or an offer.
Template
Short motivation letter
Copyable template
Dear Sir or Madam,
We are applying for the advertised [number of rooms]-room apartment in [development/location]. Our household consists of [number] people and meets the stated occupancy requirement. The location and layout suit our long-term circumstances, particularly because [specific factual reason].
We value the long-term responsibility, careful use of shared housing and respectful community associated with cooperative living. We have submitted all requested documents, and both the rent and required cooperative capital are affordable for us.
Kind regards,
[First names and surnames]
1
Short
No lengthy generic application letter
2
Property-specific
Explain why the apartment suits you
Allocation
How cooperatives allocate apartments
A cooperative does not necessarily have to select the quickest applicant or the one with the highest income. Typical criteria include optimal occupancy, affordability, social mix, urgency, target group, neighbourhood compatibility and internal transfer rights.
If many suitable applications are received, computer-assisted assessments, lotteries or structured allocation procedures may be used. For example, the City of Zurich first draws lots for some places at viewings.
Existing members may have priority, particularly after family growth, underoccupation, health issues, renovations or replacement developments.
A motivation letter can help, but cannot replace objective criteria. Appropriate occupancy, complete documents and an application for a suitable apartment matter more.
In practice
Typical application situations
| Situation | Assessment | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| A couple applies for a 4.5-room apartment requiring at least three residents | Requirement not met | Do not apply or choose a smaller apartment. |
| Family meets occupancy, documentation and capital requirements | Good formal starting position | Respond quickly and fully to the specific listing. |
| High-income single person applies for an unsubsidised two-room apartment | Possible depending on the rules | Check whether income is assessed only for affordability or also for financial need. |
| Household meets all criteria but has a debt-enforcement entry | Not automatically excluded | Explain factually and document the current situation. |
| Person pays a membership fee without applying for a specific vacancy | No automatic entitlement to an apartment | First check whether membership without tenancy actually brings advantages. |
| Application for a subsidised apartment | Additional checks | Check current income, asset and occupancy thresholds carefully. |
| Interest in a new development two years before occupancy | Good time to start monitoring | Subscribe to the project newsletter and record when applications open. |
Before signing a lease
What to check before accepting
- How much are the compulsory shares, any extra cooperative capital and the rental deposit?
- When and under what conditions will the cooperative capital be repaid?
- What occupancy rules apply on moving in and during the tenancy?
- What happens in case of separation, death, children moving out or underoccupation?
- Is the apartment unsubsidised or subsidised?
- What subsequent income and asset checks are carried out?
- Are cooperative membership and the lease legally linked?
- What participation, house rules or community duties are expected?
- How are rents adjusted under the cost-based rental model?
- What notice periods apply to the lease and withdrawal from the cooperative?
1
Lease
Read the lease and articles of association together
2
Capital
Keep cooperative capital and deposit separate
Swiss law
Legal framework in Switzerland
Housing cooperatives are governed by the cooperative provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations, especially Articles 828 et seq. The articles of association regulate admission, cooperative shares, participation rights, withdrawal and repayment, among other matters. [6]
Tenancy law also generally applies to the apartment. Cooperative membership and the tenancy agreement may be linked; the extent depends on the articles of association, the lease and the regulations.
Cooperative capital is legally and financially distinct from a rental deposit. For any additional cash or securities deposit for residential property, Article 257e CO limits it to a maximum of three months’ rent.
Cost-based rent does not mean the rent will never change. Financing costs, maintenance, renovations and permitted reserves may require adjustments.
Disputes concerning termination, membership, repayment of shares, occupancy or subsidy conditions should be assessed by a specialist with reference to the specific lease, articles of association and regulations.
Note
This guide provides general information. The specific provider’s articles of association, letting regulations, funding conditions and tenancy agreement are binding.
Application strategy
How to improve your chances
01
Search widely
Do not monitor only the five best-known cooperatives; list 20 to 40 regional providers.
02
Use direct channels
Actively use newsletters and publication schedules instead of relying solely on general property portals.
03
Stay flexible
Remain realistically flexible about room count, district, floor and move-in date.
04
Apply only for suitable apartments
Choose only apartments that fit your circumstances; ineligible applications waste time.
05
Keep documents current
Update documents every three to six months and keep PDFs readily available.
06
Explain unusual circumstances
Prepare a brief factual explanation for debt-enforcement records, variable income or unusual household arrangements.
07
Monitor new developments early
Follow new-build developments early, but send documents only when the official application period begins.
08
Show genuine community interest
Describe your interest in community living credibly and concretely, without exaggerated promises.
09
Keep going systematically
Do not take rejections personally; continue your search in an organised way.
Avoid
Top
10
Common mistakes.
Many unsuccessful applications fail because of incorrect assumptions or unmet formal requirements.
01
Treating cooperative housing and subsidised housing as the same thing.
02
Assuming there is one nationwide rule for income or cooperative shares.
03
Relying on a supposed central waiting list.
04
Confusing membership with an entitlement to an apartment.
05
Reading the occupancy rules only after applying.
06
Confusing cooperative shares, required capital and rental deposits.
07
Submitting incomplete or outdated tax and debt-enforcement documents.
08
Applying for apartments too large for the household under minimum-occupancy rules.
09
Monitoring only central city areas and the largest cooperatives.
10
Giving notice on the current apartment before the new lease is binding.
Final check
Checklist before submitting
Official sources
Sources and information date
Information as at: 5 August 2026.
- Federal Office for Housing: Non-profit housing statistics 2024
- City of Zurich: Housing Programme 2026
- Familienheim Cooperative Zurich: Letting and applications
- City of Zurich: Municipal housing allocation process
- ABZ: Letting regulations and occupancy rules
- Swiss Code of Obligations: Cooperative and tenancy law
- FDPIC: Privacy in rental applications
- Federal Office for Housing: Non-profit apartments
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01
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02
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03
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04
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05
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06
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Direct answers
Frequently asked questions about cooperative apartments
The key information explained concisely.
14
Questions & answers
Mainly on individual cooperatives’ websites, first-letting pages, municipal housing portals and foundation websites, supplemented by property portals such as UrbanHome.
No. Each cooperative organises its letting independently. Some keep waiting lists, while others advertise each vacant apartment directly.
Not always. In many cooperatives, external applicants become members only when they sign the lease. Others allow membership without renting an apartment.
No. Membership, a waiting-list entry or paid cooperative capital does not create an entitlement to a vacant apartment unless the rules specifically provide one.
There is no standard amount. Required capital depends on the cooperative, the apartment and its articles of association, and may amount to several thousand francs or more.
No. Cooperative shares represent your participation in the cooperative. A rental deposit is a separate guarantee governed by tenancy law.
The letting regulations determine this. Rooms minus one is a common minimum-occupancy rule, but family apartments may have stricter requirements.
No. Unsubsidised cooperative apartments follow the cooperative’s own rules. Binding limits apply particularly to subsidised housing.
Only for designated family apartments or where occupancy and social criteria require it. Other properties are intended for singles, couples, older people or mixed households.
An application form, debt-enforcement extract, tax or income documents and household details. The specific listing determines the requirements.
It can explain why you are a good fit, but it does not replace occupancy, affordability or other formal criteria. Keep it short and property-specific.
Depending on the regulations, an internal move to a smaller apartment may be required or offered. Transitional periods and exemptions vary.
They are lower on average, but location, age, renovations and cost structure affect the actual rent.
There is no reliable way to predict this. In tight markets, many applications may be needed. A broad search and prepared documents shorten response times.
UrbanHome guides
View sources and data →
Key points
Summary
A successful cooperative application starts with finding the right apartment, not with a particularly emotional letter. Check occupancy, target group, affordability, cooperative capital, income and residence before submitting your documents.
Monitor many cooperatives directly because there is no single portal or universal waiting list. Keeping documents current, reacting quickly to listings and reading the articles of association and lease carefully improves your chances and prevents costly misunderstandings.
Combine cooperative housing and apartment hunting
Find suitable rental apartments and first lettings
Set up a search alert on UrbanHome and combine your daily search with direct listings from regional housing cooperatives.
Compare rental apartments
Monitor first lettings
Search across multiple municipalities