With a subscription to GenossenSchaffen, you will receive a link as soon as a cooperative apartment suitable for you is advertised. But of course that's not the end of the story - an application must be submitted as soon as possible. For this to work, it is important that you have all documents ready. Our list will help you prepare. Not all cooperatives require all documents on this page, but it is certainly not bad to be prepared in any case.
0 of 4 required documents ready
This is very important! Some cooperatives require it to be very recent (< 1 month old), others are more flexible (> 3 or even 6 months old). Careful: there are lots of websites that charge a surcharge. If you live in the city of Zurich, the easiest way is to order it directly from the City of Zurich. If you live in another municipality in the canton, order it from the debt collection office at your place of residence.
Careful! This really means the tax bill, NOT the tax return. The bill shows your taxable income and assets after assessment by the tax office. Some cooperatives ask for more than just the latest bill (e.g. the last 2 or 3 years). Not all cooperatives have a maximum income and maximum assets, but it can play a role.
This isn't always necessary, but it's wise to keep them ready so you can apply immediately whenever you need to.
Tell a story: your story. What makes you who you are, why do you want to live in a cooperative, how would you like to get involved? It's also great if you can mention your current engagement (e.g. volunteering). A photo doesn't hurt either. If you find this document hard to write, ask friends or ChatGPT for help. Make sure you tailor the letter to each cooperative!
Most applications also include a form, which you can download from the cooperative's website (often on the listing page itself) or fill in directly. Make sure it's filled in correctly and all the details are right.
Some cooperatives also ask for references, e.g. from your employers. Let them know early and make sure they're okay with being contacted by the cooperative or writing a reference letter.