Find a cooperative apartment in Zurich today.
A cooperative apartment is a dream for many: – affordable rent, friendly neighborliness, community – what more could you want? In Zürich, about 20% of the housing stock belongs to cooperatives, which is quite a lot. Nevertheless, many think it’s impossible to land such an apartment. We disagree and, in this article, show how you can find a vacant cooperative apartment in Zürich.
Listings on websites and portals
Many cooperatives advertise vacant apartments on their websites. Some also post on well-known portals (Homegate, Flatfox, etc.). Anyone can apply. The cooperative then invites some applicants to viewings and an interview. Exactly who gets invited is determined in different ways – in part by random draw. With listings, it’s crucial to respond as quickly as possible. So you should have all your documents ready. Our Checklist can help here. You can also draft a cover letter in advance and then simply adapt it. Many listings for vacant cooperative apartments are only online for a very short time (often under 24 hours). If you don’t constantly check all the websites, you’ll miss many listings. With the search subscription from Genossenschaffen, you’ll receive an email when a new apartment is posted and can react immediately. That way you’ll be among the first – guaranteed!
Waiting lists
Some cooperatives maintain waiting lists (you can find the list of these cooperatives here). You can put your name on them and then… wait. It can often take years until you are contacted. However, if you’re not under time pressure, it’s definitely worth a try! By the way: at most cooperatives you have to re-register on the cooperative’s waiting list every 6–12 months.
New construction projects
Voters in Zürich recently decided that the city should continue to promote the construction of non-profit housing. As a result, cooperative housing is also being built. On the Koch-Areal, for example, an ABZ high-rise is being built by 2026. It’s worth checking the cooperatives’ websites for new construction projects. Often you can put your name on a list of interested parties and may be considered for the initial allocation!
Vitamin B
This method can also lead to success. By Vitamin B we mean that friends or family members who already live in a cooperative put in a recommendation. When an apartment becomes available at the cooperative, you may be given preference. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask acquaintances for such a recommendation!
Conclusion
A cooperative apartment in Zürich can become a reality! You just need to know the right methods and use them strategically. Subscribe to the search subscription from GenossenSchaffen and make it easier for yourself!
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