Hi,

We have been frantically looking for an Apartment in or around Zurich in thelast 2 months and had no luck in finding one. As per the video Ad in thewebsite, we decided to pay 86 CHF and opt for the new feature in HomeGate thatallows one to submit the 'Personal Application File' online and thus avoid allthe paper work.

http://www.homegate.ch/rent/application-file/advantages/video

Surprisingly none of the landlords or Agencies accept this onlineApplication and expect them through post or fax instead! It’s sad that we spendmoney and don’t benefit either
On request, we did not get a refund either!
Has anyone benefited using this new feature in HomeGate?
-Shilpa C

Thanks for posting this. I'm struggling to find an apartment myself and was contemplating signing up for the service. Will hold off for now ...

Kay

I am also in the process of looking for an apartment and signed up for homegate's online application. I know landlords are receiving the applications, but none of mine have been accepted yet. I wonder if landlords are more likely to accept it if the form template is in German?

Have you signed up for Homegate's email notification of new properties? What Homegate call a 'free search subscription'...

What does everyone include in their application? My husband and I wrote a cover letter to every flat we visited, saying how much we love the features, area, etc. It also has our picture and a bit about us. We had quite a few acceptances, and positive feedback from the landlords. Unfortunately, now we are looking for a new place but have been turned down 3 times because the landlords don't want people who would like to have children. Grrrrr.

So say you can't have children...

Then act surprised if/when you miraculously have some...

Actually we can't, we're getting help But we also don't want to live in a place that isn't friendly towards children, as it makes life so much harder when one has to deal with bitter neighbours...

So true! What more can you write other actual facts and express interest!
We find that its impossible to get an apartment if its being processed through agents. Instead, meeting the landlord directly leaves some hope of expecting a reply from them.

You could try this student website as an alternate to Homegate. They are reliable too and one can expect a quick response.


http://www.marktplatz.unizh.ch/index.cgi

yes, this is true. and there are places friendly to families. check upthehatters who is trying to get rid of his place.

Sometimes it helps to download the application form from the homepage of the Verwaltung in charge. From the questions there you can more or less figure out whom they are looking for. E.g.:
if they ask in the form whether one does have a pet or if one plays an instrument, you can write in your cover letter that you like it quiet and that you hve neither a pet nor a musical instrument.