First of all, I advise you not to send your application by snail mail but fax it immediately or at the very least the next morning after visiting the flat. Attach all the relevant papers, state your income, Betreibungsregisterauskunft (debt statement), and references (very important!)
I applied for 8 appartments and got an affirmative call from 7. And I certainly wasn't the only applicant, there were at least 30-40 at every single visit I went to. All 7 or 8 of them called my boss (reference #1) and my previous landlord (reference #2), so they do indeed call before they chose you. All these appartments were publically listed on homegate.ch. Friends of mine (Swiss) searched for ages without success, but now that they adopted this advice they finally got an appartment, even as students. I suppose when they get a proper application by fax they just don't bother about the dozens or sometimes hundreds of letters coming in.

Hi Daphne

Where abouts in Zurich was you looking to live?

when i first moved here i had to get a letter from my employer and then go to the local kriese bureau and they will do a check and write a letter confirming no debts.

I am moving back to the UK at the end of March and am looking for someone to take over the apartment if you are interested


Lisa

Hi Everyone,

Finally I've got an offer today! I truly appreciate every piece of information you guys have given to me and it's proved to be useful. THANK YOU!!!

I'm glad for you Daphne, just as a feedback, how did you apply, what did you attach etc, when did you send it in ?

I attached a cover letter in German (which was translated by a friendly girl whom I found in English Forum!), the debt statement, CV, employment letter, payroll of Dec09 & a copy of resident permit.

I sent out everything with the application form in the next morning by email to the former tenant. I can say, the former tenant has absolute influence in deciding who is the next in my case as we are replacing his current lease. He is finding someone who can move in immediately so that he can get rid of the rent of his old flat.

To summarize my experience, I'd suggest anyone who are looking for an apartment to submit all necessary document in a folder to the right person as soon as possible.

Pretty much confirms my experience. I don't know if fax or e-mail is better, but by all means do it fast.

YOu can now start exploring switzerland...

I'm looking for an under tenant from Mid
July for 1 year I live in Kreis 3 very good area
and good house. Pm me if you are intrested.

I'm looking for an apartment for 4 months now, still didn't get one. 3 weeks is nothing. Too many people in need of an apartment, too few apartments in the market. That allows agencies to treat you like crap. Don't worry, sooner or later you will find what you're looking for.

Sorry if it's a silly question, I'm a newbie here... But if one can't get an apartment for 4 months (which sounds like a horrible situation to be in), where does one usually live all that time?

Usually serviced apartment, or flatshare/temporary sharing arrangement....or if you know Swiss Tony then the best suite at the Dolder Hotel

Plenty of ads for flatshares about, including mine!!

Hi Daphne,

Are you still looking for an apartment?
Our appartment in Zurich Hottingen will be available for May 1st.
I have attached a PDF with all the information.

Else you can PM me.

I, too, arrived about 3 weeks ago. I visited close to 15 apartments my first week - and had appointments for 30 more in the following weeks. My husband and I were lucky enough to have a woman at a service help find stuff for us, but we had to do a lot of legwork as well.

We were very lucky and got the first apartment we applied for.

My advice:

1. Get all of your paperwork in order. This means your proof of being debt-free from the kreis bureau. It means showing that you have enough money for the security deposit or Swiss Caution insurance ready.

2. Visit a billion apartments. At open houses, be there early. We ran into a couple d#%!&bags along the way who wouldn't even let us in - because we were 15 minutes into a 30 minute visit window.

3. Don't get frustrated.

4. If you are even REMOTELY interested in an apartment, apply for it. Do not snail mail. Fax immediately over the forms.

5. It helps to bring someone with you who is a Swiss native. It certainly helped us with explanations, translations, and small talk.

6. Be friendly with the current tenant. I swear this was the one step that got us our new place. He really clicked with my husband and I, and told the private owner of the building that we'd be wonderful tenants and that we "really understood Switzerland" or something to that effect.

7. Be aware that some places are more popular than others. Branch out from Kreis 1, 5, 7 and 8... and sometimes Kreis 2. When we visited places in Kreis 5, there were hundreds of other people visiting. If it was a new place, there were hundreds of people visiting. If you visit an older apartment in Wollishofen or Wiedekon or wherever... you've got a better chance because there might be only 30 applicants as opposed to 300. The odds are better!

You'll find a place. It just might take some legwork and some friendly banter. I cannot wait to move into our new place. It's not my dream home, but it is home!

Lisa - is your apartment still free? we're looking for something in Zurich. We moved here last week and havent had any luck thus far. thanks!!!! Lisa

r u still looking for aPPARTMENT.if yes 2 bedroom appartment is avilable in winterthur from first of may.u can contact me per PM

thanks

deepti

theres an empty flat next to mine..how do you feel about horgen?

....and i was ranting that it took me 4 freaking days to find a flat.

Hi

Welcome to CH. This is a very common problem faced by most of us. Its just 3 weeks you have looked out for apartment for me It took 6 months to finally land an apartment contract.

As advised earlier A Debit advice is must for all the Agency + A reference from employer also some time help but not always.

In my case even the director of my company talked to the agency but they declined my application.

I would suggest keep looking homegate.ch its the best site for getting the apartment. For the time being try moving in to some shared apartment to save money as you need to pay big amount as security deposit when you get the apartment.

Will send you msg if there is some vacant apartment in my locality.

All the best for apartment hunting.

If your current landlord is in NYC, will they still call? I hope so because our landlord, who we've rented from for almost 15 years, absolutely loves us and will be very sad to see us go!