HOW TO RENT A FLAT / HOUSE IN SWITZERLAND - How to Find, Apply for and Secure Your New Swiss Home

[@Cross0987]

Great video, should we consider 1/3 of our Gross income or Neto ? Also for anyone that can help us, what are the best areas in Zurich Canton that are more quiet, less congested, and have somewhat good connection with Zurich downtown? We can take a longer commute if necessary. Tnx to all that are willing to help out 🙏

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hiya! Thanks! To be honest, I'm not 100% sure on that. We did it based on the net income, just to be safe, so I'd recommend you do that as well. I've pinned your comment, in case someone will see it and can give you some recommendations. I know of someone, who searched in the area of Uerikon and Züriberg. Maybe you can look there? Also, I recommend you find a Zurich facebook group and ask for some recommendations there. Good luck with your search!😊

[@Cross0987]

@@OurSwissAdventure thank you so much, you have helped a lot already! We're moving late August and now we're gathering as much info on pretty much anything related to CH :) Blessings 🙏

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@Cross0987 You are doing the right thing, prep is super important! Good luck with the move!

[@7izaak]

@@Cross0987hi, just out of curiosity, are you still in Switzerland? How are you finding life there? Are you haply with your decision?

[@ryanmussett5268]

To @our, swiss adventure, This video is nothing less than gold. It is very helpful stepping stones, You managed to cover everything on the list. I love how you thought of mentioning the extra costs, deposits, removal vans , prosecutions(criminal conduct) and everything else you mentioned. It also shows the genuine time and effort it took to make the video. This information is very valuable to anyone with an interest of visiting Switzerland, wether to live a year or permanent. This genuinely ticked as many boxes as it could, Brilliant video and I'm sure everyone who watched it has the same to say. Also, I recommend creating more videos, of these necessary things everyone does in life, such as property rental, food shopping (+costs), applying for permits (timeline of process and progress), applying for a job (required info) .. or anything else which is similar to staying a long period of time. Thank you very much for this video.

[@ryanmussett5268]

I just clicked your channel and saw I have a lot of catching up to do 😆😆

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi Ryan! Thank you so much for saying this, it means a lot. 😀 I really try to put all the information that one might need into these videos, so I'm glad that you noticed and appreciated that. And yes, some of these videos are already on the channel, some are yet to be made. Thank you for suggestions! Are you moving to Switzerland yourself?

[@bellachatelaine]

I can't thank you enough for all the detailed videos on all things Switzerland you have made. You are honestly making this move from London so much less stressful for me (and I'm sure for many others). Thank you so much!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I am really glad that the videos (and how detailed they are😅) have been helpful to you. Good luck with your relocation! When are you moving?😊

[@bellachatelaine]

honestly, taken a lot of stress off from me watching the videos, especially since I'm Latvian and live in the UK right now.. so scenario is super helpful 😀😀 I'm moving at the end of May, exciting times!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hey, very similar situation then.👍😀 There aren't that many Latvians over here.😅 Where about are you moving to?

[@bellachatelaine]

@@OurSwissAdventure I'll be in Zürich :)

[@radhakrishnagullipilli5032]

One of the excellent video. I must appreciate your effort in making this. Its point to point and you demonstrated very well. You gave all the required information for the ones who are moving to Switzerland. I will go through your remaining videos too to get more insights... Thanks for this and keep going...

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thanks a lot for your kind words and I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. 👍😊 I have put together a playlist with the various 'How to' videos, check it out: kzbin.info/aero/PLr-dkBlyCtwdPjEcHvwNOq0Kb1Agq2JrI

[@SlovenianGirlAbroad]

This is such an amazing informative video! I wish it would exist 10 years ago when my husband & I moved to Switzerland. 😀 I would only add, it is wise to document all the damage/usage of things in apartment you’re moving in. When you move out, they can give you hard time because of it.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thank you! :) That's a great tip! In our case everything was happening in French, so didn't have much clue of what was going on haha! We just pointed to some defects we saw straight away and the lady that was responsible for the flat inspection just said it was all in the paperwork.

[@SlovenianGirlAbroad]

Our Swiss Adventure It probably is in paperwork, but sometimes they miss something. If I remember correctly from our move last year, you have 2 weeks after your move to note all the defects & inform the agency about them. But when you move out, you’re only responsible to cover damage that was discovered & noted during the take-over. At leas that was our experience in Lucerne last year.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Okay, I see, thank you! That's good to know for the future :)

[@shayladavies3848]

Your video was so detailed and incredibly helpful! I'll be moving near Le Bouveret to attend culinary school this October.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it.😊 Good luck with your move!

[@LisaCulton]

I've been living in a fully furnished Airbnb for 4 years!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

4 years?! Wow! We couldn't wait to move out of ours haha! Why have you not moved to a rented place?

[@kikesa6211]

@@OurSwissAdventure i think..maybe she is the owner of the BnB ..other wise it must be a guinese record 🤣😂

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@kikesa6211 Haha, she's not actually! I think in a video she once said that it was very cheap, so there's no reason to leave.

[@kikesa6211]

@@OurSwissAdventure ah i see..i didn't see the video..maybe it's the reason then 😂

[@miguelgrabielcalero5251]

Best Video, experience-based I have found. Thank you for that! All I can conclude is that I better start with a flatshare to start ;-)

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thank you! 😊 If you are alone, then I would agree that flatshare is the easiest way to start.

[@andrejgorskolepov]

Thank you for the info, I am moving to Zurich in 3 week's and this was really helpful!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome and good look with the move! :)

[@pippopapero5373]

Half normaly is the kitchen separated from sitting room, great explain, by the way your RC help also outside if you dammage something...it s like the car insurance...but on you😁😁

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thanks for the explanation!😉

[@jarodmeijer6813]

This video was incredibly helpful! Thank you! 😁

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome!😉

[@ldumitrescu]

Again a great video, the information is so structured (like in the others). There is something I didn't get, when you got your apartment did you have the "permit" or only "the letter of application"?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thank you, glad you liked the video!😊 We signed for the flat without Mike having his permit yet, but he had the permit application letter. As for me, I haven't even applied for a permit at that point yet.

[@marioarranzr]

Super helpful, thank you!!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Glad it was helpful!😊👍

[@АлександраПитковская]

Thank you! This is very helpful 😊

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome!😊

[@spaceman3518]

That was brilliant! Thank you

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thanks!😊

[@noemier.4904]

This video is very useful. Thank you very much

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome ☺️

[@cutie7659]

You look beautiful!! Thank you for being such a great person ♥️🥺

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thank you :)

[@MattWagner]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MattWagner]

@@OurSwissAdventure Seems to be a bit problematic if you intend to move from overseas (US for instance) and are unable to secure an apartment ahead of time. It seems you could potentially be restricted to a hotel for quite a while.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

True, many people will end up living in a temporary accommodation for the first 1-2 months. But most of the time people choose Airbnbs or short-term rentals instead of hotels that would be waay too expensive. If you get a job in Switzerland, sometimes your company can help you with arranging accommodation (at least I have heard of some cases where they helped with temporary flats).

[@MattWagner]

@@OurSwissAdventure Thak you!

[@escalona4]

Hi Erika! How can I get a room for two people? We are a couple. I don´t know how to investigate that. Thanks you.

[@bellachatelaine]

Thanks

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Oh wow, thank you for your generous donation!😊 It means a lot!❤

[@kikesa6211]

i dont know the current rules..but i heard that if one doesn't have a B permit..one can not rent a house by its own ...i mean can rent a room in sharing but not a whole house.. idk...anyway very great and detailed content BTW .i am from italy and i have a G permit and i live in italy ..but i am planning to move to swizerland.. Have a great stay in swizerland 😊

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I've honestly never heard about that. I know that landlords here can be very picky, so they might prefer someone with a longer permit (like B), instead of L, for example. Or pick a couple were both work, instead of a couple, where only one person is employed. However, I've never heard of anyone be rejected specifically because of their permit. If you ever see any more information about this, please share it! 😊 Because I might be wrong.. Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video! Good luck with your move to Switzerland!

[@kikesa6211]

@@OurSwissAdventureok i have updates..now its possibile to rent a house with G premit ...but some time ago it was not possibile..one must had a B permit in order to rent a house in swizerland. have a good Weekend 😊

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@kikesa6211 thanks for the update! 😊That's some info that I didn't know before. I wonder if L permit was under this 'no renting' ban too

[@hankangtee73]

Thank you, what a great video! You provided all the informations exactly what I have been searching for. Very detailed and informative, this would certainly be a guideline for me to look for my rental property in Geneva later

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I'm glad you found this video useful 🙂 Good luck in your search!

[@nekuliloneliwa5829]

will one get their deposit back at the end of the lease contract (at the time of moving ou)?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

If you have no remarks on your moving out inspection, then you get all the money back. But it is possible that they will charge you for damage or not fully cleaning things. In that case an amount will be deducted from you deposit and the rest given back to you.

[@evgeniborisov7012]

Thank you very much for the video. I have a question. If I rent an apartment in Switzerland for myself only and later decide to invite my mother or father to stay at this apartment for 1 or 2 months, would I expect this to be allowed by the landlord? Perhaps, this should be negotiated during the application stage.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I am not sure about that sorry. I feel like as long as you don't abuse the system, it should be fine for your relatives to come stay over for a short time. But of course, if they start actually living in your flat in Switzerland, then they should be added to the contract. I also just checked our contract and there isn't anything about people staying over.

[@evgeniborisov7012]

@@OurSwissAdventure Thanks a lot. It sounds reasonable.

[@lailavisotska3706]

Thank you! very informative! Is it necessary to budget in buying something like dishwasher, electric gadgets?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thanks! I'm glad it was useful for you. :) I believe all flats will have fridges and ovens. Some will have a dishwasher and an in-built microwave, if the place is new and fancy (ours doesn't). All buildings will have laundry facilities in the basement, but some flats can have their own washer and drier. But in general the only things you definitely won't get are the small appliances like kettle, toaster (and most likely a microwave).

[@lailavisotska3706]

@@OurSwissAdventure thank you! So basically small appliances are there, but there is 0 furniture in most cases?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@lailavisotska3706 The main appliances yes, and no furniture usually. But if the previous tenant still lives there, he or she will probably be showing you the flat. Then you can try to arrange to buy some of the furniture from this person, to make it easier for you. The person that lived in our flat before, left some stuff behind just because it was easier to do that rather then move it to his new place, and we essentially got some furniture for free! 😀

[@varshasutar7333]

Hey need your help wanna come to Swiss how to rent a hoise

[@matiascoitino6328]

Hi again! thanks for the info really useful. Would you be able to tell us what bank are you using for the deposit account and your own personal account please? :)

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Glad it was useful! For our own account we have it with PostFinance. And for the rental deposit we used the cantonal bank here in Neuchatel. I know that many other banks also offer those deposit accounts, they just have longer account opening times.

[@athanasiostsiafakis8824]

Hi! Great video. It helps so so much! I landed a job in Zurich and company pays for 1 month rent. I am afraid that it might not be enough time to find a flat. Do you know how do the contracts for rooms look like in terms of notice period? For example, can I have it for 6 months and resign in 2 months if I find a permanent flat? I have airbnb solution as a back up plan.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi! Congratulations for getting the job! I am not sure about the rooms, sorry. You would have to look at the conditions of each room advertised. Maybe you can find something on UMS, since they are meant to be for short-term. From what I hear about Zurich rentals, you should be able to find something in 2 months, 1 if you are lucky.

[@leventedex]

Hello, I'm interested about the a specific detail when do you get the application details, the forms you mentioned and where to send them? Is this shared during the visit?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi! Yes, when you visit the flat you are normally told by the agent what you need to do next. If you are shown the flat by the current tenant, then you'll just need to ask the agency. Typically they accept the form and all the other documents being sent by email, as this is easier and faster. The form is written by agencies themselves (with their logos etc), so can differ from a place to place. But what they ask for is more or less the same, which is what I talk about in the video. When you get the contract, it will be by post and you will need to sign it and send it back by post as well. Hope this answers your questions.🙂

[@fxspartans9447]

Im moving to Zurich from UK. Did you not find the languages barrier a problem?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

We moved to Neuchâtel, which is in the french-speaking part and we both knew some french already. Yes, it's not easy, and often we needed to rely on Google translate and often were also in awkward situations because of not understanding people. But we both did some language courses, as well as volunteering and then working in french, so eventually we got much better at it. Zurich is quite international, so many people speak English. So that will definitely help. But I would also recommend you to find some language courses as soon as you get here. :)

[@fxspartans9447]

@@OurSwissAdventure I appreciate your response thank you

[@huodijin]

If i have no working contract because i am still searching for jobs, can my bank statement act as something like income?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I don't know if they'll accept it. I think it depends on the agency. However, you can definitely try using it to show that you have enough money in your account to pay for the flat in the next few months. You can also explain your situation in the motivational letter.

[@MrQuitoso]

Thanks for all the research!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome! :)

[@shana110]

May I ask how many calender days are required for bank to process?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Sorry, for a bank to process what exactly?

[@SK-mw2sd]

Hello! I am doing research on the details of rent control policy in Switzerland. I am having trouble finding an explaination of all the rent controls that are a part of thr Swiss market. Any help would be appreciated. I am doing research that would helpful to implement in regards to rent control policy in Ontario, Canada.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hey! Sorry, I don't know much about this topic. But I found a couple of articles that could be useful: www.homegate.ch/c/en/advisor/renting/tenancy-law/monthly-rent www.swissinfo.ch/eng/missed-opportunity_few-tenants-take-advantage-of-rent-controls/43229726 www.iut.nu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/the-private-rental-sector-in-Switzerland.pdf I read that they have tenants and landlord associations here, so it might be useful to contact one of these for your research. www.bwo.admin.ch/bwo/fr/home.html - this is Swiss government's website where you can find some more info, it's only in the Swiss official languages, but you can use Google translate. Other places you could maybe find some useful info are: comparis.ch , ch.ch and www.expatica.com/ch/

[@Benjinswitzerland]

Hello what are the minimum contract lengths for apartments

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi! From what I've seen the general standard is 1 year. There might be some exceptions to this, but I am not sure. However I know that UMS that I mention in the video specialise in short-term rentals, so you can check their website too, if you are interested in shorter contracts. www.ums.ch/welcome/

[@josefreeda9689]

The organisation that I working for will be booking a serviced apartment at Geneva. The rental agreement will be on my name. Can my husband and child visit me for 3 weeks ? Should the landlord be informed of the temporary visit ?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi! I am not sure about this. You would need to look at the contract of this apartment and the terms & conditions of it. I feel that since they are your family and they are only there for a short amount of time, it shouldn't be a problem. But you should still check, because maybe you need to inform the landlord about this stay.

[@josefreeda9689]

@@OurSwissAdventure thank you for the information

[@Marriedwithagreatman]

Thanks much. Are the feneral fees included in the rent? And fenerally how are Rhe Swiss people of the french side?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Looks like you already found the video where I talk about the bills ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYTcn2SbpLyjjNE ). But just in case anyone else has the same question - the rent normally includes some of the bills like heating and water, but it varies a bit depending on your contract. The Swiss people in the French-speaking side are known to be more progressive and more open, whereas on the German-speaking side they tend to be more conservative.

[@waqardetho2426]

did you get furniture from the previous tenant?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Only a couple of things, the rest we bought second hand. I made a video about this, if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4uul5amqr10rbc

[@thetypsieman1053]

Hey I am planning to move from Germany to Switzerland at the end of march 2023. It is possible to explain how can we rent a shared room WG? Even if it the rent was for a short time? Do we have to pay the 3 months Caution? And I am planning to move out after 6 Months, when do I get back my Caution?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Hi! What do you mean by 'WG'?

[@joaoguimaraes31]

Does Switzerland apartments have restrictions regarding small dogs?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

It depends on the place, you would need to look for a flat where the landlord allows dogs. But I don't think this should be a big problem.

[@joaoguimaraes31]

@@OurSwissAdventure When I filter my search in homegate with "pets allowed" the number of apartments drop significantly, I belive there are more apartments that accepts pets.

[@joaoguimaraes31]

@@OurSwissAdventure BTW, I love your videos, top quality content!!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@joaoguimaraes31 Hi! I'm really sorry, I just read a bit more about the topic and it seems that yes, many landlords say they don't allow pets. But some people suggest to still try applying and explaining that your dog is a small one, maybe use a recommendation letter from your previous landlord that says there were no issues due to your dog. Some also say that it might be easier to have a pet-friendly apartment a little bit further from the centre of wherever you are planning to live. www.englishforum.ch/housing-general/245669-renting-flat-dog.html We see many many people here with dogs (small and big), our friends have cats in a rented flat and another friend is getting a puppy in a rented flat. So it's not impossible🙂

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@joaoguimaraes31 Thanks a lot!😊

[@user-noah54537]

How much house cost to rent there

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Prices can vary a lot depending on the area. To get an idea you can check one of the rental offer websites, for example, comparis - www.comparis.ch/immobilien/default

[@user-noah54537]

@@OurSwissAdventure pour la famille, combien ça coûte ?

[@Ripster11]

hi thanks for the guide! but how can you send the residence permit to rent an house, if you need the rental contract to get the residence permit?? 😂 sounds like a dog that bites its own tail

[@OurSwissAdventure]

This is what we call 'welcome to Switzerland!'.😂😂 And it is exactly how you describe it! But in all seriousness, somewhere at some point in this vicious circle they will need to deal with the fact that you don't yet have something they want you to have document wise. It's annoying to have to explain it, but this situation happens to pretty much every person who arrives here. And you can also provide alternatives. For permit it would be permit application or saying that you are in the process of applying, for address it would be some temporary address.

[@qweadf9760]

Too much water...gosh...

[@pippopapero5373]

👍👍👍👋👋👋

[@emanuelacomerio5334]

Oh che cara. Se veramente intendi affittare un flat in Svizzera, penso che tu debba totalmente cambiare atteggiamento. Ti mando filmato della situazione di principio a Geneve, cantone di lingua francese.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

What's your rental story in Switzerland? Feel free to share it in the comments. 🙂 Time stamps: Intro: (0:00) Finding a rental property: (1:40) Tips/things to know about Swiss rentals: (5:10) Viewings: (11:49) Applications & documents: (12:14) Payments before moving in: (18:49) Move in: (21:12) Our rental story: (21:35) Outro: (23:48)

[@Naoregista]

you have to have a job to rent a house but you only can get a job if you are already there… How do you do it?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You can try to get a job in Switzerland whilst still living elsewhere. Or you come here and stay in temporary accommodation. You might also be able to rent a place if you can demonstrate that you have sufficient savings to pay for it. Another option is to rent a room from someone without being officially on the contract. And then there is a whole other category of people like students, who come to study here (either doing a degree or a full time language course), and they manage to find a place to live even though they don't have a job contract. So yeah, there are options.

[@spoorthisriram]

Is it possible to get a apartment before moving to Switzerland

[@OurSwissAdventure]

I know of someone who came over to Switzerland for a short visit just to do the viewings and so afterwards they were able to move into their apartment when moving to Switzerland straight away. I am not sure about getting an apartment without physically ever going to see it. It might be possible. I would recommend you look for the apartments and then speak to the agencies that advertise those apartments to see what's possible.🙂

[@Itz.Curlyg]

very informative thanks !!!!!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome!

[@JanPBtest]

Excellent information, thanks! When you were moving, did you manage to carry all your stuff with you or sent it beforehand somehow (like poste restante)?

[@OurSwissAdventure]

You're welcome!😊 I actually made a video about it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZmufYVrgM1ge8U We hired a van and drove everything from the UK to Neuchatel, where we kept it in our Airbnb. And then, when we moved again into the flat you see in the thumbnail, we hired another van to move everything again and to pick up the furniture we bought. It was a master operation, not the easiest, but it worked for us hehe!😅

[@vitor3386]

@@OurSwissAdventure Thanks for all the information. I’m also in the UK and thinking of moving to CH. Did you rent the van in the UK? If so, did you have to return it to the UK as well? Thanks 😊

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@vitor3386 Hi! Yes, we did rent it in the UK and it had to be returned back to the same place where we took it. Luckily for us, Mike's dad helped us with the move, so he drove the van back. Good luck with the move, if you do go ahead with it! 😊

[@vitor3386]

@@OurSwissAdventure sounds reasonable 😬. Thanks, I will most likely do the move, hopefully this year. All your videos have been very helpful.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

@@vitor3386 👍

[@djohnson-ku4cl]

Well done video.

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Thanks!

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Sorry, for some reason KZbin deleted your second comment. But to answer your question: the process of applying and signing for a flat shouldn't take very long, but I think it depends a lot on the agency/landlord. Sometimes the owner of the flat wants to personally pick their favourite tenant, so the agency has to deal with that additional step. Or the agency itself might be slow. For us with the flat that we got we applied the same day as we viewed it. And then already after 4 days we got a contract to sign by post. We moved in a month after that.

[@SumanthSHChannel]

How much amount for house

[@OurSwissAdventure]

It depends where the house is and how big it is. You can check by putting your desired location here - en.comparis.ch/immobilien/default

[@AndreTheDragon]

Bonjour

[@OurSwissAdventure]

Bonjour!🙂