Finding an apartment in Switzerland: 12 useful tips
Searching for an apartment can be a challenge, particularly in cities like Zurich, Geneva or Lugano. Learn here how to find a cheap apartment.
03.01.2023
iStock/Drazen Zigic
1. Search on social media
Comparis offers some Facebook pages with apartment listings in your desired region. There you can find a current selection of the best listings from various cities and regions.
Become a fan of the page relevant for you, and you will receive the most recent listings on your profile. You can also post offers and requests yourself. The followers of the page will then be notified.
These free pages help you search for an apartment:
2. Search via an online property marketplace
On Comparis, you can find the largest online property marketplace in Switzerland with countless listings from various Swiss property portals.
3. Look out for new builds
Stroll through your favourite part of town on a regular basis and keep an eye out for new buildings. Contact information is often found on posters. Alternatively, ask around in the neighbourhood. This also allows you to get an impression of the surroundings.
4. Word of mouth
Let your friends and family know that you’re planning to move. Someone will undoubtedly know someone who knows someone...
5. Get on waiting lists
Not in a rush to move? Get on a waiting list with building cooperatives and property management companies.
6. Swap your apartment
Scarcity breeds creativity. Especially in large cities like Zurich, many tenants offer up their apartments for exchange (website in German).
7. Compare rental prices
You can view price trends for apartments and houses on Comparis. Here you can find the rents and purchase prices from listings of the last five years.
8. Be willing to compromise
Often forgotten words of wisdom: you can’t have everything. Consider what is more important to you: a short distance to the tram stop, an extra room, a balcony or a bathtub? After all, every additional amenity costs more in rent.
Nearly half of people only search for two months.
A Comparis study shows: 45% of tenants searched for their dream apartment for a maximum of two months the last time they moved. One-fifth even found what they were looking for in the first 30 days.
9. Discover the top location of the future
Does it have to be in a fashionable neighbourhood with high rent? Perhaps there is some other up-and-coming area. Identify the next trendy neighbourhood and benefit from the low rent there.
10. Submit a professional application
After viewing an apartment, don’t just hand in the application form but also a decent application dossier with a friendly photo and a brief introduction. This will make your application stand out from the crowd. The obligatory debt registry certificate also belongs in your application. Tax assessments and unsolicited pay slips, on the other hand, do not.
11. Refrain from haggling
As a rule, rental prices are not negotiable. Those who nevertheless try could leave a bad impression when renting.
12. Enquire by telephone or in person
Those who check in highlight their interest and also refresh the landlord’s memory. This also applies to the building cooperatives and management companies whose waiting lists you are on.
You can find more tips in this Comparis article: “Applying for an apartment in Switzerland”.
Have you found the apartment of your dreams? Congratulations! To keep you happy about your new home, Comparis can help you find the right moving company. This reduces stress, frustration and costs.
This article was first published on 11.01.2019
