Cooperative Housing Zurich – FAQ

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How do I enable WhatsApp notifications?

Open My Search and go to My account. Under Notifications & WhatsApp, click Add WhatsApp. Chargebee will open and email you a sign-in code. You can then add WhatsApp to your subscription.

Afterwards, return to My Search and click Activate WhatsApp. WhatsApp will open with a prepared message. Send that message to connect your number and activate the notifications.

Once WhatsApp is connected, you can choose whether to receive apartment alerts by email and WhatsApp or WhatsApp only.

Finding an apartment in Zürich

Where can I find apartments or shared rooms for students?

For rooms in shared apartments, try platforms such as weegee.ch, wgzimmer.ch and meinwgzimmer.ch. Some cooperatives and non-profit housing providers also offer rooms specifically for students and trainees. You’ll find an overview in our article on housing for students, large families and seniors.

Finding an apartment in Zürich

Where can I find an affordable apartment in Zurich?

There’s no simple answer—affordable apartments are in high demand in Zurich. Good places to look include cooperatives, city-owned apartments, Flatfox, Homegate, local Facebook groups and Immomailing. Immomailing currently costs a one-off CHF 49. Looking beyond the City of Zurich often gives you more choice at lower rents.

Finding an apartment in Zürich

Where can I find senior housing?

Some cooperatives and foundations specialise in senior housing. We’ve collected the main places to look in a dedicated article. You can also choose whether to include senior housing in your search subscription.

Genossenschaften

Do my assets matter?

Yes. Many cooperatives consider a household’s taxable assets, especially for low-cost or subsidised apartments. A commonly used upper limit is CHF 200,000 per household, although the exact rules vary. Always check the cooperative’s current eligibility criteria or the individual listing.

Genossenschaften

What is the difference between city-owned apartments and housing cooperatives?

City-owned apartments belong to the City of Zurich and are let under a common set of rules. Vacancies are published through the city’s e-rental platform, and a random selection determines who is invited to a viewing. Occupancy, income, assets and residency requirements apply.

Housing cooperatives are independent, non-profit organisations. Their eligibility rules and selection processes vary. Some select applicants at random, while others consider factors such as household size, income, social mix or the application itself. Always check the conditions in the individual listing.

Finding an apartment in Zürich

Are there housing providers for large families?

Yes. Some non-profit housing providers focus specifically on families. They include Heimgenossenschaft Schweighof and the City of Zurich’s Stiftung Familienwohnungen. The latter generally requires at least three minor children; you’ll find any additional eligibility requirements in the individual listing.

Genossenschaften

Are pets allowed in cooperative apartments?

This varies by cooperative and sometimes even by property. Cats are accepted more often than dogs, but there is no universal rule. Always check the listing or house rules. You can filter our cooperative directory for providers that allow dogs. In Winterthur, GWG, WBG Talgut and HGW allow dogs in parts of their portfolios.

Genossenschaften

What is a housing cooperative?

A housing cooperative is a non-profit organisation that provides its members with affordable, long-term housing. Rather than maximising returns, it generally operates on a cost-rent basis. Community, social mix and the efficient use of living space are often part of the model too.

When you rent a cooperative apartment, you will usually become a member and buy cooperative shares. The amount varies. Your capital is repaid according to the cooperative’s statutes when you leave, and some cooperatives pay interest on it.

The Canton of Zurich has more than 100 non-profit housing providers. With over 5,000 apartments, ABZ is Switzerland’s largest housing cooperative.

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How can I change my search criteria?

Open My Search and go to My account. Under Your search, you can change your region, apartment size and maximum rent at any time. You can also choose whether to include city-owned apartments, senior housing and temporary rentals.

The available regions are:

Whole Canton of Zurich
City of Zurich only
Winterthur only
City of Zurich + Winterthur
Canton excluding the City of Zurich – including Winterthur

The city-owned apartment setting is separate from your region.

Genossenschaften

Are there income requirements?

Many cooperatives consider taxable household income. Some set a minimum or maximum; others may require that household income does not exceed six times the annual rent. The rules vary considerably, so check the cooperative’s website or the individual listing before applying.

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How many housing providers do you monitor?

We monitor more than 100 cooperatives and other non-profit housing providers across the Canton of Zurich. Many advertise vacancies only on their own websites; we also collect relevant listings published on property portals.

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I’m looking for a cooperative apartment in another canton. Can you help?

Our search subscription covers the Canton of Zurich. We don’t currently cover other cantons, and an expansion is not planned at the moment.

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How many people have found an apartment through GenossenSchaffen?

Since GenossenSchaffen launched, an average of around one person per day has found a cooperative apartment through our service. This is based on the voluntary feedback we receive, so the actual number is likely higher.

Finding an apartment in Zürich

How long does it take to find a cooperative apartment?

There’s no reliable way to predict this. It depends on your budget, preferred apartment size, location and occupancy requirements—and luck plays a part too.

Some people find a home very quickly, while others search for several months. The more flexible your criteria, the more matching listings you’ll receive.

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How can I cancel my subscription?

Open My Search and go to My account. Under Cancel subscription, you’ll find a link to the cancellation page. Alternatively, use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any apartment email.

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How many apartments does GenossenSchaffen find each week?

The number varies from week to week, so we don’t quote a fixed figure. Our apartments page shows all the listings we’ve found in the past 30 days, giving you an up-to-date overview.

Genossenschaften

Can I rent an apartment of any size from a cooperative?

Usually not. Many cooperatives require the apartment size to be appropriate for the household. A common rule of thumb is the number of residents plus 1.5, giving a single person up to 2.5 rooms and a couple up to 3.5 rooms.

Exact occupancy requirements are stated in the listing or the provider’s letting rules.

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Do you have an app?

We don’t currently have an app. New listings arrive by email and, if you wish, through WhatsApp too, so you won’t miss anything without an app.

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Do you rent out apartments yourselves?

No. GenossenSchaffen is not a cooperative and does not rent out apartments. Our search subscription monitors cooperatives and other non-profit housing providers across the Canton of Zurich and alerts you when a matching listing appears. Applications and tenant selection are always handled by the housing provider.

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