The decision to rent a new house or apartment is not an easy one. In this article, you will find out how to find the right apartment as a tenant, what you should bear in mind when drawing up a tenancy agreement and which important provisions of tenancy law you need to know. You will also receive a checklist to help you find the right rental property.
Tip 1: Determine your budget
First of all, you should determine your budget for the new rental property. As a rule of thumb, the gross monthly rent should not be more than a third of your salary, otherwise the running costs will quickly become too high. Rental prices vary greatly depending on the desired location and furnishings of the apartment. For example, apartments in Zurich cost significantly more than comparable properties in the canton of Berne.
Use our filters to search specifically for an apartment or house to rent in your preferred location! We offer you many different rental properties in Switzerland. Our estate agents are on site to advise you and provide helpful information about the special location and the property.
Tip 2: Find a real estate agent for your apartment search
For professionals in particular, it makes sense to seek the support of a professional estate agent when looking for a rental apartment. You are welcome to create a search subscription with us completely free of charge and without obligation – you tell us what you are looking for and we will take care of it.
An estate agent takes a lot of time and work off your hands. By telling them exactly what you want from your new rental property, you can be sure of receiving a list of potential rental properties within a short space of time. The estate agent will guide you through the rental process, help with the contract and is always available to answer questions. Contact us to find a suitable estate agent for your desired region in Switzerland!
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Tip 3: View as many apartments as possible
As soon as you have a list of possible rental apartments, you should arrange several viewings. Make sure you have good lighting and, if necessary, ask to view the rental property a second time at a different time of day. This will give you an impression of whether the apartment is bright or rather dark, whether there are disturbing street lamps or whether there are other relevant factors.
You will quickly develop a feel for which features of rental apartments you like and what is possible within your budget. You should also explore the area around the rental property a little – take a walk after the viewing and consider whether the area is suitable for you. There is often some leeway in the amount of the gross monthly rent, so don’t be afraid to make an offer regarding the rent. We currently have over 80,000 vacant apartments in Switzerland, which means that tenants have a certain amount of negotiating power.
Tip 4: Formulate a convincing application
Many apartments have several applicants who are interested. To ensure that you are awarded your dream apartment, you should make a special effort when applying. In addition to the application form or rental application, which is usually provided by the landlord, the administration or the real estate agent, you can score points with these documents, for example:
- Proof of freedom from debt (current extract from the debt collection statement)
- Letter of recommendation from a previous landlord (current references)
- Voluntary submission of payslips (1/3 rule as a benchmark)
- Letter of motivation
Tip 5: Keep an eye on the rental agreement
If your application is successful, the next step is to sign the tenancy agreement. The landlord will make a proposal. As a rule, rental agreements in Switzerland may be freely formulated. Most landlords use pre-formulated variants that can be found as ready-made PDFs on the Internet. The rental agreements of the Homeowners’ Association (HEV) are recommended for this purpose. Nevertheless, you should read this important document carefully and present it to a lawyer for review if necessary.
Only sign when you are sure that you understand and accept all the clauses. Particularly important are the sections on the amount of the rent and the deposit, the list of ancillary costs, the minimum contract term and the termination conditions.
Tip 6: Plan the move and handover of the apartment
Before you can move into your new home, the handover still has to take place. Take your time here and insist on making the appointment during the day so that you can inspect the apartment in daylight. Both you and the landlord should go through all the rooms during the handover and look for possible defects. These are recorded in the handover protocol, of which both parties receive a copy.
If you find defects, it is advisable not only to describe them in writing, but also to photograph them. This means that when you move out later, you can prove that the defects were already present when you moved in and do not have to rectify them yourself.
The handover also includes handing over the keys to the apartment. This should also be linked to a protocol. As soon as you have the keys, you can normally move into the apartment. We have compiled practical tips and a checklist for your move in this article.
Tip 7: Know your tenancy rights
As soon as you have finished moving and the apartment is comfortably furnished, you should take care of a few bureaucratic matters. Register your new address with insurance companies, banks, magazine subscriptions and other services and also inform the post office. The most important thing is to register in the new parish. Depending on the canton, this must be done within 14 days of moving in.
You should be well aware of your rights for the current tenancy. These are normally listed in the rental agreement. If necessary, you can seek advice from a tenants ‘ association. Advice is particularly important when it comes to service charges, but also for upcoming repairs or a rent reduction. Even if your landlord wants to increase the rent, you should find out whether this is legal. In general, a good relationship with the landlord is particularly helpful, as this allows you to be informed of changes in good time and ask the necessary questions.
At properti, we will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about the tenancy and help you find a suitable rental property. Get in touch and get to know us!
All data are without guarantee. The information on these Internet pages has been carefully researched. Nevertheless, no liability can be accepted for the accuracy of the information provided.