Hello everyone,

Finally in Switzerland. Sorry for not saying hello before. I am still holed up in a hotel. Had some luck with apts, but not before having some irritating issues.

Something that has really pissed me off is the following. Help from the legal experts (Richard??) would be very useful.

I saw an apt., liked it. The lady (from an agency) asked me to fill the form. The apt. was empty and she said if I fill the form I could have it within 3 days. Sounded great at that point. I asked her if filling the form was an obligation, she said "NO". I repeat, I asked her this question specifically. Because I do not understand the form.

I filled the form in with her help in that apt. (note that I know no German). This was Thursday. I was approved on Friday. I picked up the contract from their office, since I wanted to get it read by people that know german before signing it.

On Monday, we called and said that we would need time and she was free to give the apt. to others if they so desired. She said she would wait until Friday. I insisted that I was not sure if I can give her the (enormous) deposit by that date. She still said "we wait".

Okay. By Friday we were approved for another nicer apt. We decided to take it. Called the woman and said "we are not interested". She says "Oh, you have to pay CHF 150 in damages"

WHAT? And to boot I got a letter in the mail, showing me the form I filled in "Bewerbungsformular fur Mietinteressenten" with highlighted fine print that says something in German with CHF 150.

My signature on the form was not informed (consent). The lady told me what was in the form and I filled it in. She told me it was standard form of interest in the apt. that the agency would use to decide.

I have signed no contract that says I would take the apt. I am pissed. I know 150 is a small amt to crib about, but it is a matter of principle. I cannot imagine a fair judicial system where my signature on a form in a language I clearly have no knowledge of would hold up. But apparently, it is legal according to the HR in my office.

What the ....?

I dont like the terms of the contract. Period. So I refuse to sign it. How can that be held against me?

Ranting and raving, but I hate this. Next time I plan to sign in cursive "nowayisthisreal". With side print that says "If I am not apptroved, you will have to pay CHF 200 in damages, loss of ink, stress on my fingers, and fuel/ public transport".