BEP: apartments and how to apply

Yes, but external applicants come fifth and last. According to BEP, you can become a member if you have EU or EFTA citizenship (including Switzerland) or a C permit.

Yes. At least one adult per household is a member. The Statuten (articles of association) require shares of at least CHF 1’000 and a fee of at most CHF 200, plus apartment shares. The Vermietungsreglement (letting regulations) states CHF 3’200 to CHF 6’200 depending on apartment size.

Yes. For non-subsidised (freitragend) apartments with 3 rooms or more, the rule is number of rooms minus one; up to 2½ rooms, one person is enough. For subsidised apartments the requirements of the subsidy providers apply.

We did not find a fixed limit in the Vermietungsreglement. But ability to pay and affordability are allocation criteria.

In the City of Zurich only for BEP members. For the estates outside the city you can apply by form; the application is valid for one year.

The Vermietungsreglement sets out five priorities. External applications come fifth and last, after relocations due to building projects, moves because of under- or over-occupancy, requested internal moves and members without a tenancy agreement.

You only get onto the waiting list for apartments in the City of Zurich if you are already a member of the BEP cooperative.

For the estates in Urdorf, Oberglatt, Wallisellen, Effretikon, Winterthur and Dietikon (Limmatfeld and Hofächer), BEP accepts applications by form and email. The application lapses after one year unless you renew it beforehand.

The Vermietungsreglement, in force since 1 July 2026, no longer states any priority for employees of public administrations and institutions. BEP writes that these former priorities have been abolished.

For non-subsidised apartments the following is binding: up to 2½ rooms 1 to 2 people, 3 to 3½ rooms 2 to 3, 4 to 4½ rooms 3 to 5, 5 to 5½ rooms 4 to 6, and 6 to 6½ rooms 5 to 8 people. For subsidised apartments the occupancy rules of the subsidy providers apply.

According to the Vermietungsreglement, the number of cooperative shares depends on the apartment size: from 32 shares (CHF 3’200) for 1 room to 62 shares (CHF 6’200) for 6 rooms. For 3½ rooms it is CHF 4’800.

According to the Statuten, membership requires shares of at least CHF 1’000 and a processing fee of at most CHF 200. Anyone renting from BEP takes on apartment shares in addition to the membership share. BEP does not publish a total sum or the current amount of the fee.

In every tenant household, at least one adult is a member of the cooperative.

According to BEP's website, natural persons can become members if they are EU or EFTA citizens or hold a C residence permit and either sign a tenancy agreement with BEP or work at its office. BEP does not mention Swiss citizens separately; Switzerland is part of EFTA.

For requested internal moves, members without a tenancy agreement and external applicants, BEP takes ability to pay, affordability and references into account. Other criteria are the time on the waiting list, social mix and emergencies.

With written permission, at most two cats per apartment are allowed, and they must be kept only in the apartment. Dogs are prohibited, except guide dogs, dogs needed for work, therapy dogs with recognised training and holiday dogs for at most six weeks per year, each with permission.

No. The Vermietungsreglement, in force since 1 July 2026, no longer states any such priority; BEP writes that the former priorities for employees of public administrations and institutions have been abolished. The Statuten (in force since 1 October 2026) still state as a goal housing for all sections of the population, in particular for employees of the public sector and its Regiebetriebe (publicly run enterprises).

As a rule, no. With permission, the Haustierreglement (pet regulations) allows only guide dogs, dogs needed for work, therapy dogs and holiday dogs for at most six weeks per year. With written permission, at most two cats are allowed, and they must be kept only in the apartment.

The office offers a reasonable replacement apartment up to three times. After one year, a monthly under-occupancy surcharge becomes due. If the under-occupancy does not end, exclusion and notice of termination follow after two years at the earliest and four years at the latest; exceptions are possible in the event of a death.

Yes, on a written, reasoned request before the tenancy agreement is signed. BEP charges a one-off CHF 50 for this, the first instalment is at least one gross rent, and everything must be paid in after twelve months. The shares bear no interest and are repaid within three months of the apartment being handed back.

BEP runs Dietikon-Hofächer as an estate for people aged 40 and over. It has 60 apartments with 1½ to 3½ rooms. You can apply with the form for the outer estates.