Housing Cooperative Waitlists: How They Work in Hamburg and Berlin

Housing cooperative (Genossenschaft) apartments are usually allocated through the cooperative's own waitlist, separate from a Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS). Eligibility typically requires membership, which you get by buying cooperative shares (Genossenschaftsanteile). In Hamburg and Berlin, you can sign up for several such waitlists at once through Waitly.

Last updated: 31 August 2026.

In short

To get onto a cooperative's waitlist, you usually become a member first by buying shares. The waitlist itself then works much like with other landlords: signup date, household size, or urgency can determine the order. Wait times vary widely between cooperatives, and are independent of WBS waitlists.

How does a cooperative waitlist differ from a WBS waitlist?

A WBS waitlist requires a valid Wohnberechtigungsschein, which you apply for through the relevant housing authority. A cooperative waitlist instead requires membership in that specific cooperative, regardless of your income.

Both list types can exist side by side. Some cooperative apartments also require a WBS, others don't, depending on the individual property.

What do cooperative shares cost?

Each cooperative sets its own share price, and it varies by city and property. The cost of joining is a separate line item from your deposit and rent, and should be budgeted for on its own.

How do you sign up for a cooperative waitlist?

First contact the relevant cooperative to become a member, then sign up for its waitlist. On Waitly, you can see which cooperative waitlists in Hamburg and Berlin are currently active, in one place.

For how a waitlist generally works, see our article how does a rental waitlist work.

Key takeaways

A cooperative apartment runs on its own membership and its own waitlist, independent of the Wohnberechtigungsschein. Budget for the shares as an extra cost, and sign up as early as possible. Waitlists in Hamburg and Berlin are bundled together on Waitly.