Hi everyone, I need a bit of help.
I'll be coming to Geneva in January for a traineeship. I saw an advert for a room available in what sounds like a great flat. The flat is owned by one person and they are renting out a room in it.
Initially, I was told that the rent will be 600 CHF a month (utilities included) and I would need to pay 900 CHF deposit. That's fine by me.

Here are the terms I'm not sure about:
1. In order to prepare the lease that I will have to sign, I have to send a copy of my identity card
2. Once the contract has been reviewed and agreeable to both parties (me and the potential landlord/roommate), I will have to transfer the 900 CHF deposit and first month's rent by Western Union to another party, namely a relative of the potential landlord.

I suppose if I lived in Geneva and I could go and see the place and the potential landlord, this would not be a problem. But I am having to make these arrangements from another country and that is making me weary. Also, the fact that I will be dealing with an individual and not say, a company is leading me to be cautious.

So, what do you guys think? Does this sound reasonable? What are my options in this regard? What are my rights? What questions should I be asking? Is there a usual procedure when renting from an individual? I don't want the difficulty in getting housing to affect sound reasoning and decision-making. I would really appreciate any help or advice on this matter.

Let me know if you need further info.

Thanks in advance,
Angel

Using Western Union for money transfer should definitely ring an alarm bell.

I am in similar situation - I had to transfer deposit for a room in a flat w/o first seeing it, all from abroad. The landline (not mobile) phone number of the person letting the room is listed in the directory, and I transferred one month deposit to a Swiss bank account hold by the presumed owner/primary tenant, but not to any special deposit account. So, still risk, but at least some evidence the persons are real. I am renting the room in a low demand area so less chance for a scam, though.

Sache,

This has all the hallmarks of a well known scam. Read this thread for all the details and don't make any payments via Western Union to unknown parties!

In Switzerland it's not unusual to deal with the landlord directly and to need to provide identification documentation however deposits are paid into a custody account held jointly between both parties.

Renting an appartment remotely is always difficult. Maybe you can get some support from the company for which you will be working?

Cheers

Jekyll

Hi Angel, Deposit and first month's rent to a relative??? sure smells like a scam. The only place a deposit should go is into a independent bank account, in a reputable bank where no money can be withdrawn without the landlord and your signature. Have you seen the copy of the contract yet? Have you spoken to the person renting the apartment or the Lanlord? Is there anyway you can check who or what company owns the apartments?

Thanks Yacek and Jekyll. Well, it's good I was listening to my instincts that something is not quite right. Unbelievable! I just read the thread that you linked to, Jekyll, and I'm mortified to find the same or similar stories with some other members who have had similar experiences. How awful! And to think, I gave them my name. Luckily, they do not have any other personal information. Well, my decision is most definitely made now, a big, fat, NO WAY. Okay, back to square one.

Thank you.

Thanks Swisstree. As far as I know, it is not owned by a company. The apartment belongs to this person. I was going to ask for a copy of the lease but after reading posts about this scam, I've decided to just let it go and tell this person that they are essentially, "dismissed".

Good luck sache, I hope you find something soon.

Swisstree, thanks. Me too.

Where did you find this deal? On Craig's list? I found many such scams there, and came close to be a victim myself

A rent deposit is supposed to be held in a bank account in the name of both person's but if you are not here yet, this makes it difficult. However, I assume you have a rental agreement and the money was transferred after it was signed by parties, in which case it is clear what the money was transferred for.

The location of the room is really of little significance. There are dishonest people everywhere.

You were right not to act on this, does not seem regular at all.

Most flats in Geneva are owned by wealthy individuals or companies that own whole buildings. These flats are managed by property management companies who are in charge of advertising and finding new tenants. In order to apply for a flat you normally have to live in Switzerland because you will have to provide several documents that you can not get until you actually come here (eg work contract, residence permit).

Once you apply and are selected, you will sign a lease agreement that will stipulate all the terms of agreement including the price of rent and monthly charges. The normal deposit in Geneva is three-month's rent and you have to open a special account in the bank where it is deposited. The money is not transferred to the owner's account directly. Before you sign a lease agreement, it is not a bad idea to check with the tenants' association if the contract has some provisions that are contestable. (See ASLOCA http://www.asloca.ch/).

Another way to find temporary accommodation is from people who sub-let their flats or rent a room. If you sub-let, then the tenant has to obtain prior agreement from the owner and they will probably ask you to sign an agreement and make the deposit in the same manner it is done for a regular lease. If you rent a room, I would guess that there the arrangement is rather informal, but here I would not agree to pay anything in advance, especially since you did not even see the flat.

Thanks Ms. Doolittle, yes it's true, no place is immune to dishonesty or to opportunists. Amazing! Ljm, I'm new to the forum but I'm starting to learn all the tricks so I appreciate all the information; I'm going to check out ASLOCA.

Well dna, now I can laugh about a little (just a little). ;-) I read the sticky on deposit scams before starting my search and even then I almost fell for that mess.

Simply put stay AWAY, it sounds like a scam .... dont send your card details to anyone ever......, do not transfer any money via western union to anyone you dont know ....