Your first apartment: costs, tips and useful insights
Living in your own rental apartment entails costs and expenses. Comparis shows you how to create a budget, find the right apartment and prepare for your move.
29.12.2022
iStock/miodrag ignjatovic
1. How much does an apartment cost per month?
As a rule, the total cost of your new rental apartment should not be more than a quarter of your net income. This way, you can be sure that you’ll be able to cover all your living costs.
In this cost breakdown, you can use an example apartment to see what costs you should expect.
Example calculation: 2-room apartment in Winterthur
| One-off expenses | Cost in CHF |
|---|---|
| Deposit | 3,810.00 (max. 3 months’ rent) |
| Furnisings | Variable |
| Moving van | Approx. 150.00/day |
| Recurring monthly costs | Cost in CHF |
|---|---|
| Rent (incl. ancillary costs) | 1,300 |
| Electricity | 40 |
| Contents and personal liability insurance | 30 |
| Serafe (TV and radio licence) fees | 28 |
| Internet and TV | 59 |
| Parking spot/garage | 120 |
| Monthly Fixed costs | 1,577.00 |
Costs are estimated. Actual costs may vary.
What rental prices are justified?
How to find out: always compare properties for rent with rental prices from other listings. This way you can see whether the cost of your desired property corresponds to typical rent prices in the region. The Comparis Rating provides information about how attractive an offer actually is.
2. How do I choose the right apartment?
Once you know what your budget is, the apartment search can begin. Comparis has 12 useful tips for you. These tips will help make your apartment search a success.
The easiest way to get an overview of properties for rent in Switzerland is online. To do this, you only have to look in one place: the property market from Comparis, where you’ll find the listings of all major real estate portals. Simply enter your size, budget and preferences – you will find all the offers in the selected region.
Which region should I live in?
When choosing your place of residence, it’s worth checking the websites of the different cantons and municipalities. There you can find out more about social life and leisure facilities. If you’ve already narrowed down your search, visiting the municipality or region is a good idea. A tax comparison can also help you decide.
3. Viewing an apartment and applying: how does it work exactly?
Have you got your eyes on a certain property? Then it’s important to view the apartment and be a convincing applicant.
How to stand out when viewing an apartment:
Make sure you look pleasant and well-groomed.
Introduce yourself using both your first and last names.
Show interest by asking questions.
If applicable: show that you are interested in renting for several years.
Ask about the rest of the application process.
Are you still interested in the apartment after the viewing? As a rule, you will receive an application form from the landlord. Complete it promptly and send it to the rental company or landlord along with an extract from the debt collection register.
It’s often also worth writing a letter of application. Especially in popular residential areas, the competition can be high. You can find out more about increasing your chance of getting your dream apartment in the article tips on applying for an apartment.
Is an apartment application binding?
You are not obliged to accept if the landlord offers you an apartment you applied for. You also do not have to pay any costs – even if the application form mentions a fee to cover expenses in the event of non-acceptance of the rental agreement.
4. What do I need to bear in mind when it comes to the rental agreement, deposit and insurance?
Have you been accepted for your dream apartment? The landlord will send you the rental agreement. As well as your personal information, this document also includes details about the rent, heating and ancillary costs, and parking space or garage fees. Check all the information before signing.
How exactly does the deposit work?
The deposit is usually specified in the rental agreement. It is usually between one and three months’ rent. Important: the money must be deposited in a security deposit account before the rental period begins.
Alternatively, you can also consider rental deposit insurance. Instead of putting the security deposit in a blocked account, you pay annual fees to the insurance company. However, the landlord must agree to this option.
Do I have sufficient insurance?
Personal liability insurance is virtually mandatory for you as a tenant. Insurance covers damage to other people or property. It also covers any damage that you cause in your rental apartment. Liability insurance is usually required by the landlord.
Home contents insurance insures your belongings in the house – and protects you from the financial consequences of fire, burglary, water damage and vandalism.
The premiums can vary considerably. It’s therefore worth getting quotes from various insurers.
5. How do apartment handovers and moving work?
The apartment handover is the last step before the move. The landlord will draw up the handover protocol in your presence. As far as possible, all defects and signs of wear are listed in it.
Inspect the apartment carefully for defects before signing the report. Take your time. Undocumented damage and signs of wear from previous tenants can be attributed to you when you move out of the apartment.
The move
Moving house is usually a real challenge. You need to pack up your entire household contents into boxes and organize moving vehicles and helpers.
This detailed moving checklist helps you to remember all the details. Plan everything a few weeks before the moving date. Comparis has put together some tips on moving for you. This way, your move will be hassle-free.
This article was first published on 17.02.2017
