GBL: available apartments

Yes. Available apartments are advertised publicly on Flatfox. Applications from members take priority as a rule.

Yes, as a rule with the tenancy agreement. Share capital of CHF 3’000 to 9’000 depending on the apartment, plus a joining fee of at most CHF 500.

From 3 rooms, as a rule number of rooms minus 2, with a larger floor area minus 1. The regulations give no figure for smaller apartments.

The Vermietungsreglement (letting regulations) states no general limits. For subsidised apartments, the subsidy rules apply.

The regulations mention a waiting list only for internal moves. Available apartments are advertised, and there is also a newsletter.

GBL advertises apartments that become available on Flatfox and embeds the listings on its own website. According to GBL, the listings are only published briefly.

For non-subsidised apartments, number of rooms minus 2 applies as a rule, and above a threshold of rounded floor area number of rooms minus 1; half rooms do not count. The threshold is 82 m² (3 and 3.5 rooms), 105 m² (4 and 4.5), 128 m² (5 and 5.5) and 151 m² (6 and 6.5). The table gives no figure for apartments under 3 rooms.

You become a member when you sign a tenancy agreement for an apartment, pay the joining fee and take on cooperative shares. The board sets the joining fee; according to the Statuten (statutes) it is at most CHF 500.

The share capital depends on the number of rooms and the year of construction or renovation. Up to 1999: CHF 3’000 (1 to 1.5 rooms) to CHF 7’000 (5 to 5.5 rooms). From 2000: CHF 4’000 to CHF 9’000.

Applications from existing members take priority as a rule, provided they meet the requirements.

The regulations mention a waiting list exclusively for internal moves. Available apartments are published.

An apartment is only re-let once the board has reviewed and approved and you have been admitted as a member of the cooperative.

For first lettings and re-lettings after full renovations, the board can set special rules, for example on occupancy, internal moves or mobility.

For subsidised apartments, the regulations refer to the relevant subsidy rules. They state no income or asset limits of their own.

Dogs are not allowed in GBL apartments. Exceptions are possible in justified and documented cases for guide dogs and dogs in public service. Cats need written permission.

For the Langgrüt replacement building, only members could apply at first, from 27 May 2024, and external applicants too from 15 July 2024. Applications ran through a dedicated first-letting page on gbl.ch. GBL reported over 6’500 applications and then accepted no more.

Dogs are not allowed. There are exceptions only in justified cases for guide dogs and dogs in public service. Cats need written permission from GBL. Small pets such as guinea pigs or budgerigars are allowed in usual numbers without permission.

You must report the under-occupancy in writing within three months and, if it continues, move to a smaller apartment. Until then, an under-occupancy charge of CHF 150 per missing person per month applies.

Yes. Members must live in the apartment themselves and register it as their main residence under civil law. Subletting needs the board's approval and is limited to a maximum of one year.

GBL accepts requests for an internal move after seven years of tenancy at the earliest. There are exceptions, for example when the family grows or when you move to a smaller apartment. GBL keeps a waiting list for internal moves.