Housing market

The current housing market favours the landlord, as there are very few available apartments in the cities where most foreigners relocate. In Zurich, for example, just 0.04 percent of apartments are free, while in Geneva it is only 0.02 percent. The limited housing stock allows Swiss landlords and agencies to choose from an array of prospective tenants. The real estate agency often collects and screens applicants but it is the owner who decides.

Steps to renting an apartment

Apartment search: Search for apartments offered on sites such as www.homegate.ch and www.immoscout24.ch; or for available rooms on www.wgzimmer.ch. Read the insertions in the local newspapers. And use word of mouth to learn of available apartments.

Look for apartments that cost between one quarter and one third of your salary. Agencies and owners often look for tenants who can afford their property, but not a more expensive option. Also, make sure that your needs correspond to the size of the apartment. Agencies and owners often prefer to rent a large accommodation (four rooms or more) to a family with children rather than a single person or a childless couple.

It is advisable to visit as many available properties as possible. Looking outside the city limits can expand your options. Living near a train station a few kilometres outside the city can still enable you to travel to the centre within 10 minutes.

Visit: If you find a place that you are interested in, visit it on the announced date or make a personal appointment with the landlord. In several cantons real estate agencies will only accept applications from prospective tenants who have already visited a property. In addition, be prepared to have a meeting with the landlord – often Swiss owners like to encounter their future tenants.

Paperwork: Be prepared to fill out a sheet of paper detailing what you are earning, references, pets, kids etc. And be aware: references WILL be tested – it’s usual that a future landlord will talk to your boss or your current or previous landlord. When you apply for the accommodation, you will need a valid work permit if you are not Swiss, a copy of your passport and the past three months’ pay slips or a letter from your employer stating your salary. If you have been in the country for longer than six months, include the Betreibungsregister-Auszug or extrait des poursuites (a document proving that you are debt-free and are not wanted by the police) with your application. It can also be useful to send a personal letter with your application. If the lease will be in the name of the company employing you, a copy of the Registry of Commerce should also be available.

Lease: A decision on your application may be immediate or take days. If you receive a positive response, a lease will be prepared in your name and a move-in inspection date will be set. To receive the keys to your apartment, you will need to complete the following: sign the lease of your property; establish the bank guarantee (three months rent); pay the first month’s rent plus any administrative fees, and provide proof of your liability insurance.

Moving day: When you finally sign the contract and moving day has arrived, you will meet the landlord in your new home. Together you will inspect the rooms and he/she will write down any visible damage. Be attentive and accurate; anything not noted may end up on your bill when you move out.

Assistance: If you have troubles, or you want to avoid them, you may wish to seek help from the Swiss Association for Tenants:
www.asloca.ch (French part of Switzerland)
www.mieterverband.ch (German)
www.asi-infoalloggio.ch (Italian)

Text: Patrick Ritschard from Immo!invest and Sara Poumerol of Active Relocation / Expatica 2009