Buying a cooperative flat: is it possible?

In short: no, at least not in the usual sense. A cooperative flat belongs to the cooperative, which belongs to its members. You become a member, subscribe shares and rent the flat at cost rent.

What you acquire instead

• Share capital: often a few thousand to several tens of thousands of francs per flat. It is generally repaid at nominal value when you leave, with no gain in value.
• No resale, no inheritance: you can neither sell nor bequeath the flat. Subletting usually needs the cooperative's consent.
• Security in return: cooperatives are non-profit, and the rent stays tied to actual costs.

And if you really want to own?

A few non-profit housing providers offer ownership at cost, but this is rare and not a cooperative flat in the usual sense. For the shares of a cooperative flat you live in, pension fund money (2nd pillar) can sometimes be used, see the share capital guide. Flats to rent are listed under available cooperative flats.

More guides

GuidesFinding a cooperative flat in ZürichHow to get a cooperative flat in Zürich: membership, waitlists, listings, timing, documents, with links to eve… GuidesWhat is a “Gnossi”? Cooperative flats explained simply“Gnossi” is Zürich German for a cooperative flat. What lies behind it: cost rent, membership, share certificat… GuidesCooperative waitlistsWhich cooperatives keep waitlists, how long you wait, whether signing up is worth it and how to find out when … GuidesApplying for a cooperative flatWhich documents cooperatives ask for, what a good cover letter looks like and which mistakes get applications … GuidesShare capitalShare certificates, compulsory shares, flat shares: typical amounts at Zürich cooperatives, repayment when you… GuidesOccupancy rules and income limits at cooperatives“Rooms minus one”: how occupancy rules work, what applies to subsidised flats and what happens when your house… GuidesCooperative flats in WinterthurCooperative flats in Winterthur by district (Stadt, Oberwinterthur, Seen, Töss, Mattenbach, Wülflingen, Velthe…