July 08, 2025
Cooperative housing with a balcony in Copenhagen
Do you dream of an andelsbolig (housing cooperative share) (in Danish) in Copenhagen where you can enjoy your morning coffee in the sun or end the day with a view over the city from your own balcony? Many Copenhageners value having a private outdoor space, which is why andelsboliger with a balcony are among the most sought after. Whether you are searching in Valby, Nørrebro, Østerbro or Vanløse, there are several andelsforeninger (housing cooperatives) with good balcony solutions.
On this page you get an overview of some of the cooperatives in Copenhagen that have balconies, and where you can sign up directly for the waiting list.
Why choose an andelsbolig with a balcony?
A balcony doesn't just give you extra square metres. It brings light and air into the home and works as an extension of your living room, especially in the summer months. Particularly in the city, where green areas and private outdoor spaces can be limited, a balcony is a big plus. It can be a place for plants, a small dining table or simply a bit of calm in everyday life.
Photo: Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. via Unsplash.
A balcony can make a home more sought after, but it does not decide on its own what the home is worth. The price also follows the cooperative's finances, the condition of the building and the location.
Examples of housing cooperatives with a balcony
Thyregodsvej, 2500 Valby
Nivågade, 2200 København N
Gennemløbet 1-11, 2720 Vanløse
Tåsingegade, 2100 København Ø
Kertemindegade, 2100 København Ø
Please note that it can differ which homes in the cooperative have a balcony, and whether this applies to the whole property or only certain stairwells. It is always a good idea to look closely at the waiting list description and the floor plans.
Who maintains the balcony in a housing cooperative?
In an andelsboligforening (housing cooperative) the cooperative owns the building, and therefore the balconies as well. The owner of a building is responsible for making sure it is legal and safe to use, and ABF (the Danish association of housing cooperatives) recommends that cooperatives have their balconies inspected (in Danish) by a professional. How the tasks are divided between the cooperative and the individual andelshaver (co-op member) is set out in the bylaws (vedtægter). Typically the member takes care of the inside of the balcony, while the cooperative is responsible for the load-bearing parts and the facade.
There is one important exception to know about: if a previous member was allowed to put up a balcony and paid for it themselves, the maintenance can follow the apartment. So ask the board who installed the balcony before you buy.
How a balcony comes to a housing cooperative
A balcony project typically has to go through the board and the general meeting, which is the cooperative's highest authority (in Danish). The cooperative is the one applying, because it owns the building, and in the Municipality of Copenhagen a new balcony needs a building permit (in Danish).
So if you want a balcony as a member, it is not enough to ask a neighbour. You need the cooperative's approval, and the cooperative needs the city's. Ask the board whether a balcony project has been looked into or turned down, and read the minutes from recent general meetings. If balconies appear in the maintenance plan (in Danish), that may show whether a project is on its way.
The balcony in the price and in the boligafgift
A balcony that the cooperative has installed is part of the cooperative's property and is included in the overall valuation. If, on the other hand, the seller paid for the balcony themselves, or for example for a new balcony floor, the amount can appear as an improvement on the sales statement. It must then be documented, and the guide to improvements in an andelsbolig (in Danish) explains what the seller may charge for.
Photo: Anders Holm-Jensen via Unsplash.
Balcony projects in older properties are often financed with a loan taken out by the cooperative. This can affect the boligafgift (monthly co-op fee), either for all members or only for those who get a balcony. If a balcony project appears in the minutes from the general meeting, check the financing and the future costs in the nøgleoplysningsskema (key information form) (in Danish) before you sign.
What to ask the board about a balcony project
Has a balcony project been agreed or discussed, and how far has it got?
How is it financed, and who pays: all members or only those who get a balcony?
What happens to the boligafgift, and when does a change take effect?
Has the cooperative already received a building permit?
What the boligafgift covers and when it can rise is explained in our guide to boligafgift in an andelsbolig in Copenhagen (in Danish).
Find more cooperatives with a balcony
The cooperatives above are only a selection. Balconies can also be found in many cooperatives in Frederiksberg (in Danish) and in both older and newer buildings on Amager (in Danish). If you are not sure you want to buy, compare with rentals with a balcony in Copenhagen and what the balcony means for the rent, where you rent instead of buying a share.
Sign up for andelsboliger in Copenhagen
If you want an overview of more andelsboliger in Copenhagen (in Danish), both with and without a balcony, you can sign up digitally through Waitly. It is free to create a profile. The individual cooperative may charge a fee for being on its list, and signing up does not guarantee a home. You can see the boligafgift and get notified when something happens on the lists you are on.
See andelsboliger in Copenhagen and sign up here (in Danish)
Frequently asked questions
What is Waitly?
Waitly is a platform where you can find rental homes and housing cooperatives (andelsboligforeninger) with waiting and interest lists, sign up online and keep track of all your sign-ups in one profile. Creating a profile is free. Each landlord or cooperative may charge a fee for a place on its list. Create a free profile on Waitly.
What is Waitly+?
Waitly+ is a membership for people actively looking for a home in Denmark. You are notified 24 hours before other users when new waiting and interest lists open, and when a full list has space again. You also receive sales listings for co-op flats, including from estate agents, and can see how long it has taken to be offered a home in selected cooperatives. The monthly membership has no commitment, and each cooperative's sign-up fee is paid separately. Read more about Waitly+ (in Danish).
