Given the problems and questions people face with renting an apartment, frustrations etc. and based on my own experience as well as my friends', I decided to write this short Q&A for those (who know no German) moving to Switzerland for the first time (like I did a few months back). I moved to Zurich and hence it is specific to my experiences in this area.

1) Is getting an apartment very difficult?

Ans: Depends on how picky you are. I've lived in many places and moved countless times. Finding the exact place you dream about (the one with the jacuzzi, private gymnasium, 6 large rooms with a view of the lake and an elevator shaft that takes you deep underground to the public transit system for CHF 1000) is not possible. Not here or anywhere. That is precisely why people with the resources build their own house.

But if you want a decent place, in a good locality, at a fair market value, the answer is no, it is not much more difficult, never mind the surveys. The more relevant question is : will you be happy with what you find.

2) Must I apply immediately when I like an apartment?

Ans:
The answer is yes. Just make sure you don't sign anything that says that if you are approved you MUST accept the apartment. How do you know if the form has such a clause if you don't know german? Get help. Never fill and turn in the form immediately. Take it with you, get it read by someone after you go home/ office and get it faxed after you fill it in. If you send it by post it takes a day (by A mail) or even 2 (by standard mail)

Company letterheads while faxing help.... it gives you credibility. This applies to apartments that are rented out by agencies (and if you are new this is the only kind you'll see, mostly). Of course, ask your new boss if it's okay to use the fax machine... it always is especially if you just came to the country!!

3) So homegate, comparis etc. are good enough?
Ans:
Yes, and what other options do you have since I assume your German is not even passable!

4) I was told that I must be extremely nice to the person who is showing me the apartment. Does that mean not asking relevant questions like "will this ridiculously outdated dishwasher be replaced before I move in?" or "am I allowed to pee standing up after 10 PM?" ?

Ans:
You must be polite with everyone you meet. That is just good manners!!!!

But ask questions. You move in and you don't like the place, you will be paying for it and living in it. However desperate you are right now, it will much worse if you are stuck in a place that you can't live in. And almost all agents respect people who ask questions...confidence helps them trust you.

5) I liked this apartment, and my application was approved. Now the agency tells me that the terms have changed such as the parking spot rent is higher than they informed you or the deposit is significantly higher (more than 3 times the monthly rent). Should I take this place?

Ans: Do you trust this person/ agency anymore? Remember you will have to deal with them when you move out. Don't take a short-sighted approach.

6) All forms ask for a reference. I give the name of the reference in my home country. Is this okay?

Ans:
Sometimes. But the best way to do this (I was told and I followed it with great success) is to refer your boss and probably another person in your company (personnel/ human resources). Give accurate contact information and inform these people that they will be contacted. Your new boss will not mind. Remember they live here and know how difficult it is to get anything without proper references.

7) I like an apartment. I sent in the form this morning. How long must I wait to hear from them?

Ans:
This is where your initiative is helpful. Pick up the phone from your workplace (it helps). Call the agency after about 2 hours of faxing the form. Ask them if they have received it. Tell them you are interested in the apartment and a quick decision would be helpful.... ask them to feel free to contact your references.
If the agency does not talk German, ask someone who speaks German to help you out. Remember that if you call the next day they'll tell you that you are 2nd in line. This happened to me twice, but I got lucky both times.... though eventually I moved to a 3rd apartment.

Follow all these tips and you shall be rewarded. I applied for 4 apartments. I got approved for 3... one rejected my application because I was "too young for the quiet locality". Almost always the decision was made within 24 hours of my calling them.

Of course this forum has a wealth of information on this subject. So forum moderators, feel free to delete/ move this post around.