Cooperative apartment: How to get an affordable apartment
Cooperative apartments are cheaper than other rental apartments. That’s precisely why they are in demand. Comparis explains how to become a member, how much the share certificate costs, and what to bear in mind when searching.
21.09.2026
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1. What is a cooperative apartment?
A cooperative apartment does not belong to a private landlord, but to a housing cooperative. This is an association of people who jointly own housing. To rent such an apartment, you must join the cooperative.
The most important difference from profit-oriented landlords is the cost rent. The rent only covers what the apartment actually costs: interest, maintenance and provisions for renovations. The cooperative does not make a profit.
This has a significant effect. This is shown by a study by the Federal Housing Office on non-profit housing: Comparable 3-room flats cost 16.5% more than with housing cooperatives. In the main cities, the difference is even 26%.
Good to know: Cooperative apartments are in short supply. Across Switzerland, non-profit apartments account for just under 4% of all flats. In the city of Zurich, it is around a quarter of rental flats.
2. How do I become a member of a housing cooperative?
You only become a member once you have been allocated a flat. So, you apply for a specific flat, not for membership.
The procedure in four steps:
Submit your application. The documents are the same as for a normal flat application: application form, extract from the debt collection register, proof of income. Many cooperatives also want to know why you want to live in cooperative housing.
Acceptance by the management. It checks whether you meet the conditions and whether the flat is suitable for your household.
Subscribe for shares. You pay your share of the cooperative capital in.
Sign the tenancy agreement. Only now are you Member and tenant at the same time.
Comparis tip: In your application, write what you would like to contribute to the community. For example, helping out at community events or in a working group. Cooperatives pay attention to this.
3. How can I finance the share certificate?
With most cooperative apartments, you do not pay no rental deposit. However, you do have to buy a share certificate. The cooperative share certificate is your share of the cooperative’s capital. The amount is set out in the Articles of Association (this is what the rules of the cooperative are called). The amount usually depends on the size of the apartment. Common amounts are two to three months’ rent. For new builds, the amount can be significantly higher.
For financing, you have four options:
| Option | What applies |
|---|---|
| Savings | the easiest way, with no conditions |
| Occupational pension (pillar 2) | permitted as part of home ownership support; the property must be your main residence |
| pillar 3a | also allowed, under the same conditions as for the occupational pension fund |
| Loans | Some building cooperatives and cantonal funds grant loans or allow payment in instalments |
An advance withdrawal from the pension fund is only every five years possible and at the latest three years before retirement (Art. 30c BVG). The usual minimum amount of 20’000 francs does not apply to shares. If you are married, your spouse must give their consent in writing.
Good to know: When you move out, you get your money back. However: Outstanding claims owed to the cooperative will be deducted. Until then, the share certificate counts as part of your taxable assets.
4. What are the admission conditions?
Each cooperative sets its own conditions itself. Four points apply almost everywhere:
The flat must be suitable for the size of your household. The common rule is: Number of rooms minus one gives the minimum number of people. So, in a 4-room flat, there should be at least three people. If the household shrinks later, many cooperatives require a move to a smaller flat.
The cooperative flat must be your main residence be. A second home or subletting the entire flat is not permitted.
For most cooperative flats, you do not need a low income. However, as everywhere, you must show that you can afford the rent.
Some cooperatives do not accept anyone who already owns a house or an apartment.
5. How can I find a cooperative apartment?
Demand is significantly higher than supply. If you want to find a cooperative apartment, you need patience. Five ways to increase your chances:
Get to know housing cooperatives in your desired region: The Confederation of Swiss Housing Cooperatives maintains a list of contact details.
Join the waiting list: Some housing cooperatives keep waiting lists. Register early and renew your entry regularly, otherwise it will lapse. Waiting times of several years are normal in cities.
Monitor listings: Many housing cooperatives no longer keep waiting lists. They advertise vacant apartments on their website or on property portals. Those who react quickly have a chance.
Keep an eye on new-build projects: A large proportion of vacant cooperative apartments are created through New builds. Many flats are allocated there at the same time. This often works by applying using a points system or by lot.
Check flats for temporary rent: Before demolition or renovation, housing cooperatives sometimes rent out the flats in question on a temporary basis. For people in education or training, this is an affordable way to get started.
In the property marketplace from Comparis, you’ll find the listings of all major portals in one place. Set up a search alert so you don’t miss any listings.
6. How is it different from a normal rented flat?
| Cooperative flat | Normal rented flat | |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord | Cooperative of which you are a member | private individual, company or pension fund |
| Rent | Cost rent without profit | Market rent |
| Security deposit | Share certificate | Rental deposit of up to three months’ rent |
| Co-determination | Voting rights at the general meeting | none |
| Occupancy | Regulations on the number of people | no regulations |
| Tenancy law | applies | applies |
The tenancy law applies also applies to cooperative housing. In the event of a dispute, the conciliation authority is responsible. In addition, the statutes of the cooperative apply: anyone who violates them can be expelled as a member and thus also loses the flat.
In return, the housing security is high. A cooperative does not sell its properties at a profit and does not terminate tenancies on grounds of own use. The rent only increases if the costs rise.
Comparis tip: When you move in, you need the same insurance policies as in any rented apartment: a personal liability insurance and a home contents insurance. Premiums differ significantly depending on the insurer significantly.
7. FAQs on cooperative housing
According to the Federal Housing Office, comparable 3-room flats on the open market are 16.5% more expensive. In the main cities, the difference is 26%. This is due to the cost rent: the cooperative does not make a profit.
Yes, when moving out, at nominal value. The cooperative will deduct outstanding claims, such as damage or rent arrears. An increase in value is not possible.
Yes. Shares in housing cooperatives fall under home ownership promotion. The minimum amount of CHF20,000 does not apply here. The apartment must be your main home .
No. Income limits only apply to subsidised apartments. The key factors are usually the occupancy rules: the household must be appropriate for the size of the flat.
In cities, often several years. However, many cooperatives no longer maintain waiting lists and advertise flats directly. Things move faster with new-build projects and outside the centres.
Finding a flat, step by step
This guide is part of Step 3 «Search and set up a search alert». In the overview, Comparis shows all the steps from the initial consideration to the acceptance of an offer.
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This article was first published on 21.09.2026