Help, please. I am trying to understand the rules of renting in the Zurich area in preparation of doing a home search in October. I have had communication with several landlords and am told that I must pay 3 times the rent as a deposit before a lease will be signed. Also, I have two small dogs and landlords do not seem to be happy about this.

Additionally, I'd rather not live in a city; a small town or countryside would suit much better. How realistic is that - distances look very close and I understand the transportation is very good.

I am Canadian but have lived in the UK - it was so much easier there.

Any suggestions - pearls of wisdom, would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Gunnar, the law states that up to three monthly rates can be requested as a deposit. Some landlords explicitely don't allow cats and dogs but not all. Living outside the city and going there for work is a manageable alternative that many have chosen. The public transport system is generally good.

So much for general answers, read through the forum for some individual experiences and don't hesitate to ask once the more specific questions pop up!

The 3-month deposit thing really annoys me. I was a student and do not really have that money immediately. But this rule seems to apply everywhere.

Those who are from north America can always experience cultural shock in Schweiz lol. e.g. The landlords never have a waiting list, neither do they treat all the candidates equally. All of them ask about your marital status, occupation (not just income!), age, country of origin etc. and some are even interested im your religion. Many things that are extremely rude or illegal in America are openly conducted here.

Maybe it's just me but even the deskperson in the bank was rude to me. When I set up my account I gave her a wrong address and asked her to correct it immediately (one minute later). She told me it is impossible because it is "already in the system", and I "should have told her in advance". I cancelled my account.

A collegue has offered a flat and it looks like a good deal, comparatively, at 2068CH but it is very modern and sterile - not my style at all. I will be working in Duebendorf; is living in a surrounding village a realistic alternative to the Zurich area? Is public transportation outside the city good? What are some of the "attitudes" I could expect to come across in the countryside? Many thanks for anything you can share.

Hmmm, you've got dogs? good luck finding an apartment! I've had a hard time finding one with my two cats. As for the deposit: A deposit of 3 months is normal in most European countries. The deposit goes onto a special bank account and gathers interest which you get once you move out. The special account is "locked", which means the bank needs your, and your landlord's signature to release the cash. Every apartment I've lived in in Europe required a 3 month deposit.