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Information on searching for an apartment, visiting prospective homes, gathering necessary paperwork and signing the lease.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 to 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 (4 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.
Explore our guide to popular expat locations including Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lugano.
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