Hi, Had a quick question around residential searches and relocation agents.

Viewed a property I found on Homegate and met an agent at the viewing. Asked a few questions about renting in Zug and was sent a few links to suitable properties etc. Did not sign a contract with the agent, did ask about fee's and pricing should I choose to use them but was not provided with anything.

Several phone calls later I was sent a large bill for services and asked to pay within 15 days. Is this normal?

Also been told if I don’t pay I will be registered in Zug for having a bad debt. Can this happen even though I did not employ their services?

Thanks

our rental agent entered into a service contract with us making very explicit the nature of the services to be provided and the rate. i have not heard of anything approaching your situation. sorry i can't be of more help.

All my clients sign an agreement before we agree to work together outlining the fees and services to be provided. Very often there is an initial meeting, emails or phonecalls but if no agreement is signed, there are no fees.

Without the necessary backup, it will be very difficult to collect a debt from you. I suggest you look carefully at the emails you sent, etc to be sure you did not enter into an agreement.

If this agency is really good at deceiving people, do everyone a favour and publish the Homegate ad so others will be well advised to steer clear of them. But before you do this, you better triple check that you didn't miss somethign in mice type.

Rubbish, ask them for a copy of the contrat signed by both parties and report them to the communale authorities and/or the owner of the appartement. Be warned though, an oral contract can be binding in Switzerland, it's harder to prove but it can be done. These people seem to be trying to frighten you, any judge will throw this out, if only on a language basis.

Yes. OP should post the agency name, if they are really cheaters. Because most of us (expat) depend on sites like homegate for getting apartments. It would be a help to others to become cautious.