Housing Market

The current housing market favours the landlord, as there are very few available apartments in the cities to which most foreigners relocate. In Zurich, for example, just 0,06 percent of apartments are available and, in Geneva, only 0,25 percent. The limited housing allows Swiss landlords and agencies to choose from an array of prospective tenants. The real estate agency often collects and screens applicants but the owner makes the final decision.

How to rent

Apartment search: Search for apartments on sites such as www.homegate.ch, www.immoscout24.ch or www.immostreet.ch. If you are looking for a furnished apartment or house, contact the UMS Temporary Housing service (www.ums.ch). www.wgzimmer.ch offers a good selection of available rooms in apartments for shared use.

You can also read the classifieds in the local newspapers or 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 the size of the apartment corresponds to your needs. Agencies and owners often prefer to rent a large accommodation (four rooms or more) to a family with children rather than to a single person or a childless couple.  It is advisable to visit the available properties. Looking outside the city limits can expand your options. As distances in Switzerland are short and trains run properly, living near a train station outside the city can enable you to travel to the city 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: Swiss owners often like to meet their future tenants.

Paperwork: Be prepared to fill out a sheet of paper detailing your earnings, references, pets, kids etc. And be aware that references WILL be tested; it is common for a future landlord to talk to your boss or your current or previous landlord. When you apply for the accommodation, you will need a valid work permit, 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’ with your application (a document proving that you are debt-free and that there are no legal proceedings running against you). 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 contract 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.
                          
Moving out: Be aware that for the termination of a lease contract you have to observe a legal period of notice of three month. In certain cantons you can only terminate the contract on fixed dates. Alternatively, you can terminate your contract at an earlier date if you propose a new tenant who is similar to you (income, number of persons using the apartment) and who is willing to rent the apartment under the same conditions. 

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