Cooperatives › BG Silu
BG Silu: apartments and how to apply
49 listings in the last 12 months. Around 1000 apartments in nine places in the Canton of Zurich, no waiting list. The rent should be at most 30% and at least 10% of net income.
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Applying to BG Silu
- As a non-member
- Applications possible
- Membership
- with the tenancy agreement, CHF 2’000 «pro Zimmerzahl» (per number of rooms)
- Minimum occupancy
- from 3 rooms: number of rooms minus 1
- Income and assets
- rent should be 10–30% of net income
- Waiting list
- none
- Get the listingWith the search subscription you get every new BG Silu listing immediately by email, with a link to the listing. SILU shows available apartments on its «zu Vermieten» page, embedded from Newhome.
- Submit the «Mietinteresse» interest formFill in the form «Mietinteresse für eine Wohnung» and send it to the administrative office with the required documents. SILU gives bewerbungen@bgsilu.ch as the contact for all apartments. Receipt is not confirmed.
- Viewing and interviewAfter the viewing, selected applicants are invited to a personal interview with the Siedlungskommission (estate committee) or the administrative office. The estate committee makes a recommendation.
- Decision and cooperative sharesThe administrative office decides, unless the board reserves the decision for itself in an individual case. You are only definitively accepted once the share capital for the apartment has been transferred.
Required documents: Current credit check for the prospective tenant and spouse or joint guarantor (CreditTrust certificate, otherwise an original debt-collection register extract, no more than 1 month old); Copy of the current tax assessment of everyone living in the household; Copy of the residence permit (for foreign nationals).
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
- Speed17 of 136 listings we found were offline again within a day.
- TimingWe found new listings most often on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, mostly between 11:00 and 17:00.
- Rent3.5-room listings we found: median CHF 1’335 per month (66 listings).
- LocationMost listings were in Embrach, Bassersdorf and Bachenbülach.
From the listings we found; not a complete overview. Offline does not mean let.
SILU does not confirm receipt of an application. When demand is high, it can temporarily suspend the application process for external applicants. 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 | BG Silu | All providers | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 rooms | 3 | 216 | – |
| 2 rooms | 4 | 331 | – |
| 2.5 rooms | 19 | 415 | CHF 1’025 |
| 3 rooms | 11 | 623 | CHF 1’105 |
| 3.5 rooms | 66 | 605 | CHF 1’335 |
| 4 rooms | 7 | 330 | CHF 1’305 |
| 4.5 rooms | 35 | 490 | CHF 1’755 |
| 5.5 rooms | 1 | 118 | – |
| 6.5 rooms | 1 | 20 | – |
Places
Listings per month
The most recent listings
- 3.5 rooms · 61 m² · CHF 1’085Dorfstrasse 141, 8424 Embrach · 1 Oct 2026 · offline after 3 hours
- 4 rooms · 75 m² · CHF 1’216Auenring 41, 8303 Bassersdorf · 30 Sep 2026 · offline after 23 hours
- 1 rooms · 33 m² · CHF 780Bächliwis 26, 8184 Bachenbülach · 16 Sep 2026 · offline after 6 days
- 3.5 rooms · 61 m² · CHF 1’085Dorfstrasse 141, 8424 Embrach · 10 Sep 2026 · offline after 4 days
- 3.5 rooms · 62 m² · CHF 1’520Stationsstrasse 19, 8424 Embrach · 31 Aug 2026 · offline after 8 days
147 listings from the last 24 months, 195 since 28 Sep 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 based in Kloten with around 1000 apartments in 14 estates across nine places in the Canton of Zurich, including Embrach, Bachenbülach, Bassersdorf and Kloten.
The five answers in full
- Can I apply as a non-member?
Yes. In principle, SILU advertises all apartments publicly. Internal moves and some groups, such as families with children, are given priority.
- Do I have to become a member, and what does it cost?
Yes, with the tenancy agreement. The regulations state cooperative shares of «pro Zimmerzahl Fr. 2'000.00» (CHF 2’000 per number of rooms). With a temporary (fixed-term) tenancy agreement you do not become a member.
- Is there a minimum occupancy?
Yes, for new lettings: up to 2½ rooms 1 person, 3 to 3½ rooms 2, 4 to 4½ rooms 3 people. Justified exceptions are possible.
- Are there income or asset limits?
The rent should be at most 30% and at least 10% of net income. For subsidised apartments, the conditions of the subsidy provider apply.
- Is there a waiting list?
No. SILU writes that it keeps no waiting lists, neither for internal nor for external applicants.
Allocation rules and sources
- Fixed order of allocation
The regulations set out an order: first four kinds of internal move, then Wohnen im Alter (housing for older people), families with children, single parents and single people, and last all other prospective tenants.
«Bei der Vermietung wird in nachstehender Reihenfolge bevorzugt behandelt: • interne Wechsel infolge anstehenden Bau- und Sanierungsvorhaben • interne Wechsel aus familiären und/oder gesundheitlichen Gründen in kleinere oder grössere Wohnungen • interne Wechsel in Bezug auf die Subventionsbestimmungen • interne Wechsel infolge Unter- oder Überbelegungsvorschriften • Wohnen im Alter • Familien mit Kindern • Alleinerziehende mit Kinder sowie Alleinstehende / -erziehende ohne Kinder (mit Besuchsrecht) • Alle weiteren Mietinteressenten»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 5, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Minimum and maximum occupancy
For new lettings, a table sets minimum and maximum occupancy: up to 2½ rooms at least 1 person, 3 to 3½ rooms 2, 4 to 4½ rooms 3, 5 to 5½ rooms 4, 6 to 6½ rooms 5 people. According to section 7, exceptions can be approved in justified cases.
«min. Belegung max. Belegung 1- bis 1 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 1 Person 2 Personen 2- bis 2 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 1 Person 3 Personen 3- bis 3 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 2 Personen 4 Personen 4- bis 4 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 3 Personen 6 Personen 5- bis 5 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 4 Personen 7 Personen 6- bis 6 ½ -Zimmer Wohnung 5 Personen 8 Personen»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 7, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Rent should be 10–30%
Income must be in reasonable proportion to the rent. The rent should be no more than 30% and no less than 10% of net income. The regulations word this as a «should» rule.
«Das Einkommen der Mieterschaft muss in einem angemessenen Verhältnis zum Mietzins stehen. Insbesondere soll der Mietzins nicht mehr als 30% und nicht weniger als 10% des Nettoeinkommens betragen.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 14, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Cooperative shares: CHF 2’000 «pro Zimmerzahl» (per number of rooms)
Anyone who rents an apartment joins the cooperative and subscribes to cooperative shares. The regulations state «pro Zimmerzahl Fr. 2'000.00» (CHF 2’000 per number of rooms). SILU gives no worked example.
«Die Miete einer Wohnung setzt den Beitritt zur Genossenschaft und somit die Zeichnung von Anteilscheinen voraus, es sind dies pro Zimmerzahl Fr. 2'000.00.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 15, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Publicly advertised, no waiting list
In principle, SILU advertises all apartments publicly. The exception is internal moves, which depending on the situation are not advertised. There is no waiting list.
«Grundsätzlich werden sämtliche Wohnungen der Baugenossenschaft SILU öffentlich ausgeschrieben. Ausnahmen bilden interne Wechsel, welche je nach Situation nicht inseriert werden. Es werden keine Wartelisten geführt.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 25, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Interview after the viewing
After the viewing, selected applicants are invited to a personal interview with the Siedlungskommission (estate committee) or the administrative office. This also applies to co-residents.
«Ausgewählte Mietinteressent/innen (auch im Untermietverhältnis und Mitbewohnende) werden nach der Wohnungsbesichtigung zu einem persönlichen Gespräch bei der Siedlungskommission oder der Geschäftsstelle eingeladen.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 25, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Applications can be suspended temporarily
When demand is high, SILU can temporarily suspend the application process for external applicants.
«Bei grosser Nachfrage kann das Anmeldeverfahren für externe Bewerbende zeitweise eingestellt werden.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 25, checked 5 Oct 2026 - No dogs, cats with a permit
Dogs are not permitted, with one exception for the SILU 2 estate with a permit. A cat needs a permit and may not go outdoors. Cats are not allowed in ground-floor and raised-ground-floor apartments.
«Das Halten von Katzen ist in allen Erdgeschoss- und Hochparterrewohnungen nicht erlaubt. Bestehende Bewilligungen behalten ihre Gültigkeit bis zum Ableben des Tieres. • Für das Halten einer Katze ist eine Bewilligung notwendig. Die Katze ist im Wohnobjekt zu halten und darf nicht ins Freie gelassen werden. Katzennetze sind nicht erlaubt. • Das Halten von Hunden ist nicht gestattet (jetzige Ausnahme Siedlung SILU 2 mit Bewilligung).»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 21, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Wohnen im Alter: minimum age 60
For the «Wohnen im Alter» (housing for older people) apartments, the Vermietungsrichtlinien (letting guidelines) state a minimum age of 60. Where there are several people, the oldest person must meet the minimum age.
«Im Sinne des Vermietungsreglements sind Einzelpersonen, die ein Mindestalter von 60 Jahren haben oder Personengruppen, in welchen die älteste Person der Gruppe die Anforderung an das Mindestalter erfüllt.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 11, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Subsidised apartments
For subsidised apartments, the rules of the subsidy provider apply. Only those who meet the set conditions can rent them.
«Bei subventionierten Wohnungen gelten die Bestimmungen des Subventionsgebers. Subventionierte Wohnungen können nur von Personen gemietet werden, welche die gesetzten Bedingungen erfüllen.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 12, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Temporary (fixed-term) without membership
In connection with comprehensive renovations or replacement buildings, SILU can let apartments on a temporary (fixed-term) basis. Anyone renting on a fixed term does not become a member and pays a rent deposit of three months' net rent.
«In Zusammenhang mit umfassenden baulichen Erneuerungen oder Ersatzneubauten können Wohnungen befristet vermietet werden. Mieterschaften mit befristeten Wohnungsverträgen werden nicht als Genossenschaftsmitglieder aufgenommen. Sie entrichten eine Mietzinskaution in der Höhe von drei Nettomietzinsen.»
Source: bgsilu.ch, Vermietungsrichtlinien (PDF), section 4, checked 5 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs and cats allowed at SILU?
According to the Vermietungsrichtlinien (letting guidelines), dogs are not permitted, with one exception for the SILU 2 estate (Hausen am Albis) with a permit. A cat needs a permit and may not go outdoors. Cats are not allowed in ground-floor and raised-ground-floor apartments.
- Does SILU pay interest on the share capital?
No. According to the 2025 Statuten (statutes), the cooperative shares bear no interest. Departing members get them back at no more than face value. The board can approve payment in instalments in exceptional cases.
- From what age can I rent a SILU senior apartment?
For «Wohnen im Alter» (housing for older people), the Vermietungsrichtlinien (letting guidelines) state a minimum age of 60; in a group, the oldest person must be that old. The project page for Ackerstrasse in Kloten, by contrast, says «ab dem Alter 55 plus» (from age 55 plus). In the SILU 14 estate in Kloten, residents of Kloten are given priority where possible.
- Can I rent from SILU on a fixed term without becoming a member?
Only if SILU advertises an apartment as temporary (fixed-term). It can do so in connection with comprehensive renovations or replacement buildings. With a fixed-term agreement you are not admitted as a member and, instead of cooperative shares, you pay a rent deposit of three months' net rent.
- What became of the Dreispitz replacement building in Embrach?
According to SILU, the Verwaltungsgericht (administrative court) dismissed its appeal in July 2025, which blocks the replacement building on Querstrasse and Dorfstrasse. SILU is reviewing how to proceed and is planning maintenance work on the existing buildings.
New-build projects
3 projects planned or under construction
18 senior apartments in timber construction; the ground-breaking was on 2 March 2026. According to SILU, completion is planned for 2027. The conditions of the first letting have not yet been published.
Source: bgsilu.ch, news item «Spatenstich in Embrach Im Chängel», checked 5 Oct 2026SILU has taken over the property from the town of Kloten under a Baurecht (building lease) and is renovating it comprehensively. 20 senior apartments are planned. Nothing has yet been published about letting.
Source: bgsilu.ch, press release of 14.9.2026 (PDF), checked 5 Oct 2026Around 130 affordable apartments for older people and families in the Hohrainli quarter, on land owned by the town of Kloten. According to SILU, construction can start in 2029 at the earliest.
Source: bgsilu.ch, press release of 14.9.2026 (PDF), checked 5 Oct 2026