Cooperatives › PWG
PWG: apartments and how to apply
161 listings in the last 12 months. Every listing stays online for at least 72 hours. When demand is high, a random selection makes the first cut.
We notify you immediately about new PWG listings and those of over 100 cooperatives in the Canton of Zurich. CHF 5 / month · cancel anytime.
Applying to PWG
- Who
- Everyone; residence in the City of Zurich at move-in
- Costs
- Deposit: 3 months' rent
- Minimum occupancy
- whole rooms minus 1; exceptions possible
- Income and assets
- PWG names a limit only for apartments subsidised by the city
- Waiting list
- no waiting list
- Get the listingWith the search subscription you get every new PWG listing immediately by email, with a link to the listing. PWG publishes its listings on pwg.ch under «Zu vermieten» (to let); each stays online for at least 72 hours.
- Apply onlineClick «Jetzt bewerben» (apply now) in the listing, fill in the electronic questionnaire and submit it.
- Random selection and viewingWhen demand is high, a random selection picks a number of applications. PWG checks these against its letting criteria and invites a selection to a viewing.
- Documents within two daysIf you are still interested after the viewing, you submit your tax bill, debt-collection register extract and copies of ID within two days.
Required documents: Tax bill; Debt-collection register extract; Copy of the ID of all residents including children (Swiss ID card, Swiss passport or foreign national permit).
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
- SpeedAccording to PWG, every listing stays online for at least 72 hours. Everyone can apply during this period.
- TimingWe found new listings most often on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, mostly between 9:00 and 15:00.
- Rent3-room listings we found: median CHF 1’744 per month (109 listings).
- LocationMost listings were in Altstetten (8048), Aussersihl (8004) and Seebach (8052).
From the listings we found; not a complete overview. Offline does not mean let.
PWG leaves every listing online for at least 72 hours, and everyone can apply during this period. When demand is high, a random selection picks a number of applications before PWG checks them. 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 | PWG | All providers | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 rooms | 22 | 216 | CHF 985 |
| 1.5 rooms | 21 | 144 | CHF 1’400 |
| 2 rooms | 56 | 331 | CHF 1’290 |
| 2.5 rooms | 37 | 415 | CHF 1’750 |
| 3 rooms | 110 | 623 | CHF 1’744 |
| 3.5 rooms | 44 | 605 | CHF 1’970 |
| 4 rooms | 19 | 330 | CHF 2’112 |
| 4.5 rooms | 19 | 490 | CHF 2’750 |
| 5.5 rooms | 2 | 118 | – |
Places
Listings per month
The most recent listings
- 3 rooms · 52 m² · CHF 1’624Hildastrasse 18, 8004 Zürich · 1 Oct 2026 · offline after 3 days
- 2.5 rooms · 65 m² · CHF 1’852Honrainweg 19, 8038 Zürich · 30 Sep 2026 · offline after 3 days
- 3.5 rooms · CHF 2’290Zweiackerstrasse 4, 8053 Zürich · 30 Sep 2026 · offline after 5 days
- 1.5 rooms · 42 m² · CHF 1’400Limmattalstrasse 86, 8049 Zürich · 28 Sep 2026 · offline after 3 days
- 4 rooms · 92 m² · CHF 1’300Witikonerstrasse 507, 8053 Zürich · 28 Sep 2026 · offline after 4 days
330 listings from the last 24 months, 558 since 21 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 foundation under public law with 2’538 apartments in 203 properties in the City of Zurich (as of 31 December 2025).
The five answers in full
- Who can apply to PWG?
Anyone interested can apply. At move-in you must have your residence under civil and tax law in the City of Zurich.
- What security does PWG require when you move in?
PWG requires three months' rent as security. You pay it into a ZKB savings account in your name.
- Is there a minimum occupancy?
Yes. Number of rooms minus one; half rooms do not count. For individual apartments PWG can deviate from this, in which case the occupancy in the rental contract applies.
- Are there income or asset limits?
PWG names a limit only for apartments subsidised by the city: income at most four times the gross rent. One tenth of assets above CHF 200’000 is added to it.
- Is there a waiting list?
No. PWG does not keep a waiting list. By its own account, it advertises available rental properties on its website on an ongoing basis.
Allocation rules and sources
- Random selection when demand is high
If many applications come in, a random selection picks a number of them. PWG checks these against its letting criteria and invites a selection to a viewing. PWG does not say how many applications are drawn.
«Bei hoher Nachfrage werden per Zufallsgenerator eine angemessene Anzahl Bewerbungen ausgewählt. Diese prüfen wir anhand unserer Vermietungskriterien und laden eine Auswahl zu einer Wohnungsbesichtigung ein.»
Source: pwg.ch, Zu vermieten, checked 5 Oct 2026 - At least 72 hours online
All available rental properties are on the «Zu vermieten» (to let) page of pwg.ch. Every listing stays online for at least 72 hours, and everyone can apply during this period.
«Alle unseren freien Mietobjekte finden Sie hier auf dieser Seite. Jedes Inserat bleibt mindestens 72 Stunden online. Alle Interessierten können sich während dieser Frist bewerben.»
Source: pwg.ch, Zu vermieten, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Seven allocation criteria
PWG allocates apartments according to occupancy, financial circumstances, mix within the building, connection to the neighbourhood, payment record, residence and urgency.
«Es zählen die Belegung (Mindestanzahl Personen = Anzahl Zimmer minus 1), die wirtschaftlichen Verhältnisse, die Durchmischung innerhalb der Liegenschaft, der Quartierbezug, das Zahlungsverhalten, formale Kriterien (Wohnsitz) und die Dringlichkeit.»
Source: pwg.ch, FAQ, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Minimum occupancy: rooms minus one
At least as many people must live in the apartment as it has rooms, minus one. Half rooms do not count. So a 4.5-room apartment needs at least 3 people.
«Die Anzahl der Zimmer minus 1 ergibt die Mindestanzahl der Bewohnenden. So müssen zum Beispiel in einer 4.5 Zimmer-Wohnung mindestens 3 Personen leben. Halbe Zimmer werden nicht mitgerechnet.»
Source: pwg.ch, Bewirtschaftung, Unsere Vermietungskriterien, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Deviations for individual apartments
Where the floor plan or location is unfavourable, PWG can deviate from the minimum occupancy. It can also provide for a higher occupancy if the apartment allows it. The occupancy stated in the rental contract then applies.
«Von diesem Grundsatz kann abgewichen werden, wenn bei ungünstigen Grundrissen oder Lagen die angestrebte Belegung nicht zumutbar oder objektbedingt eine höhere Belegung möglich ist. In diesen Fällen gelten die in den Mietverträgen festgehaltenen Belegungen.»
Source: pwg.ch, Vermietungsreglement 2022 (PDF), Art. 7 para. 2, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Limit for subsidised apartments
Apartments made cheaper with city subsidies and write-down contributions go only to households whose income relevant for tax purposes is at most four times the gross rent (rent plus ancillary costs). One tenth of taxable assets above CHF 200’000 is added to the income. The regulations do not say which period the income and rent refer to.
«Mit städtischen Zuschüssen und Abschreibungsbeiträgen verbilligte Wohnungen dürfen von der Geschäftsstelle nur an Haushalte abgegeben werden, deren steuerrechtlich massgebendes Einkommen das Vierfache des Bruttomietzinses (Mietzins plus Nebenkosten) nicht überschreitet. Ein Zehntel des steuerbaren Haushaltvermögens, das Fr. 200’000 übersteigt, wird dabei dem Einkommen zugerechnet.»
Source: pwg.ch, Vermietungsreglement 2022 (PDF), Art. 8 para. 2, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Residence in the City of Zurich
When you move into the apartment, your residence under civil and tax law must be in the City of Zurich.
«Der zivil- und steuerrechtliche Wohnsitz muss beim Bezug in der Stadt Zürich sein.»
Source: pwg.ch, Bewirtschaftung, Unsere Vermietungskriterien, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Deposit of three months' rent
For an apartment you deposit three months' rent as security in a ZKB savings account in your name.
«Die durch die Mieterschaft zu erbringenden Sicherheiten sind: a. bei der Miete von Wohnräumen 3 Monatsmietzinse, einzuzahlen auf ein auf die Mieterschaft lautendes Sparkonto der ZKB;»
Source: pwg.ch, Vermietungsreglement 2022 (PDF), Art. 25 para. 1, checked 5 Oct 2026 - No waiting list
PWG does not keep a waiting list. It advertises available rental properties on its website on an ongoing basis.
«Wir führen keine Warteliste. Alle freien Mietobjekte werden laufend auf unserer Website ausgeschrieben.»
Source: pwg.ch, FAQ, checked 5 Oct 2026 - Pets only with permission
According to PWG, pets are allowed in most properties. You need written permission from PWG beforehand.
«Haustiere sind in den meisten Liegenschaften erlaubt. Für die Haltung eines Haustiers brauchen Sie vorgängig eine schriftliche Bewilligung von uns.»
Source: pwg.ch, FAQ, checked 5 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Do I already have to live in the City of Zurich to apply to PWG?
PWG requires residence under civil and tax law in the City of Zurich «beim Bezug» (at move-in). It does not allow second homes, except for people in education or training. According to the Vermietungsreglement (letting regulations), an existing connection to the neighbourhood is taken into account positively.
- Are dogs and cats allowed at PWG?
According to PWG, pets are allowed in most properties. You need written permission beforehand. We did not find a separate rule for dogs.
- Is there a waiting list for PWG's new-build projects?
No. PWG does not keep a waiting list for new-build projects either. By its own account, it announces the start of letting on its website and, for larger projects, also in its newsletter.
- Does PWG accept rent deposit insurance?
As a rule, no. The Vermietungsreglement requires three months' rent for apartments, in a ZKB savings account in the tenant's name.
- What happens if I no longer meet the criteria later on?
PWG can periodically require proof that the criteria are met, above all on income and assets; this does not apply to tenancies taken over when a building was bought. According to the Vermietungsreglement, anyone who cannot prove they meet the criteria pays a solidarity levy (20 per cent of the net rent per missing person, 20 per cent for income and assets), and PWG can require a move to a replacement apartment. For under-occupancy after a death, a grace period (Pietätsfrist) of two years applies.
New-build projects
2 projects planned or under construction
PWG is converting a former office building in 8052 Zürich (Leutschenbach) into housing for around 200 people, with apartments of various sizes and commercial space. It gives 2026 as the start of construction, but no date for letting yet.
Source: pwg.ch, Aktuelle Bauprojekte, checked 5 Oct 2026A replacement building with 32 barrier-free apartments is planned in 8051 Zürich. PWG gives 2028 as the start of construction, but no date for letting yet.
Source: pwg.ch, Aktuelle Bauprojekte, checked 5 Oct 2026