Cooperatives › ABZ
ABZ: apartments and how to apply
21 listings in the last 12 months. A random selection determines who is invited to a viewing.
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164 apartments in the high-rise near Flurstrasse, move-in from June 2027. The estate has 2.5- to 5.5-room apartments. ABZ members were able to apply first; in this window the remaining apartments are open to everyone interested. Apply online only, for one apartment type; the time your application arrives does not matter.
Source: abz-koch.ch, Process, checked 5 Oct 2026Applying to ABZ
- As a non-member
- applications possible
- Membership
- with a permanent tenancy agreement, share capital CHF 3’500–8’500
- Minimum occupancy
- number of rooms minus 1
- Income and assets
- for subsidised apartments, otherwise affordability
- Waiting list
- none for external applicants
- Get the listingWith the search subscription you get every new ABZ listing immediately by email, with a link to the listing. ABZ publishes available apartments only on its own website.
- Apply onlineOpen the listing and click «jetzt bewerben» (apply now) at the bottom. Applications are only possible via the online form; calls and emails do not help.
- Draw and selectionA random selection determines who is invited to a viewing: 15 applications per apartment. ABZ then selects according to its Vermietungsreglement, including by use of the living space, affordability of the rent and social mix.
- Pay in the share capitalThe full share capital must be paid in by the apartment handover. You only get the keys against proof of payment.
How often does your apartment size come up?
Listings in the last 24 months, by number of rooms.
CHF 5 / month · cancel anytime. The more flexible your criteria, the more matching listings you receive.
Numbers
- Speed12 of 42 listings we found were offline again within a day.
- TimingWe found new listings most often on Monday and Thursday, mostly around 16:00.
- Rent3-room listings we found: median CHF 1’044 per month (8 listings).
- LocationMost listings were in Horgen, Effretikon and Höngg (8049).
From the listings we found; not a complete overview. Offline does not mean let.
ABZ keeps listings online for at least 24 hours, and according to its frequently asked questions usually for only 24 hours. A random selection decides who is invited to a viewing: 15 applications per apartment. Source
All numbers and charts
How long a listing stayed online
When we found new listings
Rents by number of rooms
Listings by size
| Size | ABZ | All providers | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 rooms | 5 | 216 | CHF 803 |
| 1.5 rooms | 2 | 144 | – |
| 2 rooms | 5 | 331 | CHF 828 |
| 2.5 rooms | 4 | 415 | – |
| 3 rooms | 8 | 623 | CHF 1’044 |
| 3.5 rooms | 6 | 605 | CHF 1’126 |
| 4 rooms | 7 | 330 | CHF 1’273 |
| 4.5 rooms | 5 | 490 | CHF 1’756 |
| 5.5 rooms | 1 | 118 | – |
| 6.5 rooms | 1 | 20 | – |
Places
Listings per month
The most recent listings
- 4.5 rooms · 113 m² · CHF 1’923Grüzenstrasse 25, 8600 Dübendorf · 10 Sep 2026 · offline after 24 hours
- 4 rooms · 78 m² · CHF 1’179Rappenstrasse 26, 8307 Effretikon · 19 Aug 2026 · offline after 24 hours
- 4 rooms · 94 m² · CHF 1’273Im Langacker 31, 8304 Wallisellen · 18 Aug 2026 · offline after at most 1.5 hours
- 2 rooms · 38 m² · CHF 763Kalkofenstrasse 7, 8810 Horgen · 13 Aug 2026 · offline after 25 hours
- 4.5 rooms · 77 m² · CHF 1’109Brunnenwiesenstrasse 15, 8305 Dietlikon · 11 Aug 2026 · offline after 23 hours
44 listings from the last 24 months, 93 since 10 Jul 2023. During the day we look for new listings every 30 to 60 minutes and can miss very short ones, so durations and times are approximate. Offline does not mean let. Rents as listed, median, only sizes with at least 5 listings.
Eligibility and allocation
Non-profit housing cooperative with over 5000 apartments in 58 estates in the City of Zurich and the greater Zurich area.
The five answers in full
- Can I apply as a non-member?
Yes. ABZ publishes the apartments that do not go to members publicly on its website. You can only apply online.
- Do I have to become a member, and what does it cost?
Yes, with a permanent tenancy agreement. The share capital is CHF 3’500 to 8’500 depending on apartment size, at least CHF 1’500 per member.
- Is there a minimum occupancy?
Yes. The rule is number of rooms minus one. Half rooms do not count. So a 3.5-room apartment needs at least 2 people.
- Are there income or asset limits?
Income and asset guidelines apply to subsidised apartments. For the others we did not find a fixed limit. But the affordability of the rent is an allocation criterion.
- Is there a waiting list?
No, not for external applicants. There is a waiting list only for moves within ABZ.
Allocation rules and sources
- A draw decides who gets a viewing
From all applications for a listing, a random selection draws 15, who are invited to a viewing. ABZ then selects according to its Vermietungsreglement (letting regulations).
«Per Zufallsgenerator werden 15 Bewerbungen ausgewählt, die an die Wohnungsbesichtigung eingeladen werden.»
Source: abz.ch, Available rental properties, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Only on its own website
Available apartments appear only on abz.ch and stay there for at least 24 hours. ABZ also has its own newsletter for this.
«Freie Wohnungen schreiben wir nur auf unserer Website aus. Wer den Newsletter freie Mietobjekte abonniert, erhält eine E-Mail, sobald ein freies Objekt ausgeschrieben wird. Freie Wohnungen bleiben mindestens 24 Stunden auf unserer Website ausgeschrieben.»
Source: abz.ch, Available rental properties, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Minimum occupancy: rooms minus one
The number of residents must be at least the number of rooms minus one. Half rooms do not count. The rule applies for the whole tenancy.
«Die Mindestbelegung bei Einzug gilt während des ganzen Mietverhältnisses. Die Mindestbelegung ist erfüllt, wenn die Zahl der Bewohner:innen die Anzahl Zimmer minus eins nicht unterschreitet (Mindestbelegung = Zimmer –1). Halbe Zimmer werden bei der Berechnung der Mindestbelegung nicht mitgezählt.»
Source: abz.ch, Vermietungsreglement (PDF), Art. 3.2, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Share capital by apartment size
The share capital is CHF 3’500 for 1.5 rooms and rises by CHF 1’000 per room to CHF 8’500 for 6.5 rooms. It is at least CHF 1’500 per member. It must be paid in by the apartment handover and is repaid after you move out, once all obligations from the tenancy have been met.
«Die Höhe des Anteilkapitals richtet sich nach der Wohnungsgrösse: 1,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 3500 CHF 2,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 4500 CHF 3,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 5500 CHF 4,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 6500 CHF 5,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 7500 CHF 6,5-Zimmer-Wohnung: 8500 CHF Das Anteilkapital wird auf die Vertragsparteien aufgeteilt. Der Mindestanteil pro Mitglied beträgt 1500 CHF. Bis zum Datum der Wohnungsübergabe muss das vollständige Anteilkapital einbezahlt sein. Nach Ihrem Auszug erhalten Sie das Geld zurück, wenn alle Verpflichtungen aus dem Mietverhältnis erfüllt sind.»
Source: abz.ch, Available rental properties, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Member through a permanent tenancy agreement
You become a member through a permanent tenancy agreement.
«Mitglied unserer Genossenschaft werden Sie durch einen unbefristeten Mietvertrag.»
Source: abz.ch, Available rental properties, checked 5 Oct 2026 - No joining without a connection
Without a connection to ABZ, joining is not possible.
«Ohne Bezug zur ABZ ist es weiterhin nicht möglich, Mitglied der Genossenschaft zu werden.»
Source: abz.ch, Frequently asked questions, checked 5 Oct 2026 - No waiting list for external applicants
ABZ keeps no waiting list for external applicants. There is a waiting list only for applicants from within ABZ: anyone who has lived in ABZ for at least five years and would like to change apartment can be added.
«Die ABZ führt keine Warteliste für Externe. Zu einer Wohnung kommt, wer sich online auf unsere Wohnungsinserate bewirbt. Die ABZ führt nur für ABZ-interne Bewerber/innen eine Warteliste. Wer seit mindestens fünf Jahren in der ABZ wohnt und in eine andere Wohnung wechseln möchte, kann auf diese Warteliste aufgenommen werden.»
Source: abz.ch, Frequently asked questions, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Members come first
The apartments that are not let to members are published publicly. For external allocation the criteria of the regulations apply, including optimal use of the living space, affordability of the rent and social mix.
«Wohnungen, die nicht an Genossenschaftsmitglieder vermietet werden (können), werden öffentlich ausgeschrieben. Der Vergabeprozess dieser Wohnungen erfolgt diskriminierungsfrei durch die Geschäftsstelle der ABZ. Bisherige Mieter:innen, die nicht Genossenschaftsmitglieder sind, haben dabei keinen Vorrang. Die Geschäftsstelle orientiert sich bei der externen Vermietung von Wohnungen an den Kriterien in Artikel 2.1 Bst. b–f.»
Source: abz.ch, Vermietungsreglement (PDF), Art. 2.1 and 2.4, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Limits for subsidised apartments
Strict occupancy, income and asset guidelines apply to subsidised apartments and are reviewed regularly. These apartments are subsidised by the city and the canton.
«Damit auch Menschen mit geringen Einkommen und Vermögen ein Zuhause haben in Zürich, subventionieren Stadt und Kanton gemeinnützige Wohnungen zusätzlich. Für diese Wohnungen gelten strikte Belegungs-, Einkommens- und Vermögensrichtlinien, die regelmässig überprüft werden.»
Source: abz.ch, Frequently asked questions, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Temporary apartments without membership
Before major renovations and replacement buildings, ABZ lets certain apartments on a temporary (fixed-term) basis. You do not become a member and you pay a rent deposit of three months' rent.
«Wir vermieten gewisse Wohnungen befristet, damit wir grosse bauliche Erneuerungen oder Ersatzneubauten planen können. Mietparteien mit befristeten Verträgen werden nicht Mitglied der ABZ. Sie hinterlegen eine Mietzinskaution in der Höhe von drei Monatsmieten.»
Source: abz.ch, Available rental properties, checked 5 Oct 2026 - No dogs, at most two cats
According to ABZ, pets are allowed, but at most two indoor cats that may not go outside. Dogs are not allowed.
«Bei der ABZ dürfen Sie Haustiere halten. Jedoch maximal zwei Wohnungskatzen, die nicht nach draussen dürfen. Hunde sind nicht gestattet.»
Source: abz.ch, Frequently asked questions, checked 5 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs allowed at ABZ?
No. According to ABZ's frequently asked questions, dogs are not permitted. Other pets are allowed, but at most two indoor cats that may not go outside.
- How long does an ABZ listing stay online?
At least 24 hours. ABZ itself writes that listings usually stay online for only 24 hours. From all applications, a random selection draws 15 for the viewing.
- Where do I have the best chances at ABZ?
ABZ writes that the best chances are with new buildings. In the Koch-Quartier, applications run in fixed time windows: first only for ABZ members, then for everyone interested.
- What if I do not have the money for the share capital?
ABZ recommends private loans from relatives and acquaintances or a loan from a solvent third-party organisation. If you receive social assistance, the social services often cover the payment or advance it. ABZ does not accept rent deposit insurance.
- Why can some ABZ apartments only be rented on a temporary basis?
ABZ lets on a temporary (fixed-term) basis when an estate is soon to be renovated or when alternative apartments have to stay free for members. With a fixed-term agreement you do not become a member and have no entitlement to a follow-on solution. After five years you can have yourself put on the internal waiting list.
New-build projects
2 projects planned or under construction
Around 205 apartments with 1.5 to 6.5 rooms in Kreis 4, planned jointly with the cooperative BEP. ABZ does not yet give a date for letting.
Source: abz.ch, Seebahn-Höfe building project, checked 5 Oct 2026174 planned apartments on Pfingstweidstrasse in Kreis 5. According to ABZ, the project is blocked by objections to the design plan (Gestaltungsplan). ABZ does not give a date for letting.
Source: abz.ch, Ensemble building project, checked 5 Oct 2026