Observing limitations such as "no pets allowed" in apartments, I have thus far not considered buying any pets yet. I am soon moving to a new apartment and once agian, it's the same issue. I was just wondering how this works, because while apartment hunting, I saw on one of the apt photos what was clearly a cat's climbing/scratching tower, yet in the description pets were forbidden.

My question is: if the apartment says no pets allowed, can you get a special permit from the "verwaltung" at a later date?

PS. I love all animals and would like to have a dog and/or cat in the future. With the dog, we'll wait until we know we have enough free room for it to run around, but I'd consider getting a house cat sooner.

I'm in the same position.
I think once you prove yourself as a good tenant you can just negotiate it.

That's my plan anyway!

You should probably agree with the landlord that you will be allowed to have a pet in the future before you sign the contract, rather than try to negotiate later. Otherwise they may just say "no"...

In some cases "pets" just means "dogs". Maybe the current tenant on the photos has a noisy cat and is the reason for the "no pets" rule - starting from now.

Our landlord just asked us to sign a "pet contract" (stating the landlord would not be liable for any additional damages caused by the pets to the property and/or others' property and if the pets attacked anyone on the property) and we had to give details about what animals we were housing with us (number, species, breed, size, appearance).

Why don't you look for an apartment where pets are allowed ? There are so many that allow pets, it shouldn't be a problem. Then you can get a pet at your leisure. It is what we did and we only had to write a letter to the landlord to get one from him saying we are allowed a pet. You will need to show this if you adopt a pet in Switzerland.

Don't know what size apartment you're looking for, but a quick search on www.immoscout24.ch in Zurich area turned up 21 apartments with pets allowed - rooms from 2.5 to 5.

Even if it's not specified you can ask to make sure. That's what we did when we moved over here because we knew our cat was coming with us.

Always worth sounding out potential new neighbors on their fondness of cats/dogs too.

My neighbor hates dogs, and although I was allowed one, complained almost weekly, even if we wasn't there for the week. Fortunately this matter was resolved, but there is not the bond I would preferably like with a neighbor.

I wouldn't let it necessarily be a deal breaker but bear it in mind perhaps

Many thanks for the useful advice! We had to focus on other apartment aspects as a priority and there's a chance of an international assignment, so adopting pets was not in the immediate future. In any case, thank you very much for the tips, much appreciated

Get your flat first, thats the important thing.

I viewed a lot of flats which said no pets, when i explained we have 2 cats which stay in the house, they all reacted well to it. Said that they were really just meaning dogs

...and just to let you know. I bought a yorkshire terrier last week. I have already signed a contract for my new appartment in April, but the building owner had said no dogs.

I called them and told them we had inherited her from my wives mother as she is regularly travelling and cant look after her anymore, and that she would love if we took it as opposed to giving her away. The owners said its fine as long as we keep the stairs clean

Should they have said no then the little doggy would be away again in a couple of months but i kinda knew that i had the Verwaltung in my pocket by that point

my apartment was advertised "no pets". I called. Said I have two dogs. She asked what kind. I told her. She said, "c'mon ovah". A month later I moved in.

Just be honest. If they're vehemently opposed they'll tell you. In which case, why waste your time?

Very true! But if you have a great dane i wouldnt mention it

I'm very glad it's worked out for you Tony. (And congrats on the new addition!)

But putting on my rescue volunteer hat, may I just say to everyone else...

By all means, don't restrict your search, look at flats that don't specifically allow pets - but once you've passed muster, please get permission to keep your pet before signing on the dotted line.

And if you already have a flat, please first ensure that you have the permission to keep pets written into the existing lease before you acquire one.

Yes, it may work that the landlord OKs an after-the-fact addition to the family - but I have seen too many cases where the landlord has stuck to his guns and held the tenant to the 'no pets' clause in the contract. And then you have to either move (with all the related expenses) or the poor critter is finds himself homeless.

And unfortunately, there are more homeless animals and fewer places for them to go these days. The ultimate outcome is too often a very sad one.

So get permission in writing first!

(Jumping off soap box now... )

I dont think so, sorry.

Unfortunately you cannot hide a Great Dane if you have one, or you could say "Yeah, we only have a Chihuahua, look closely, right there in the belly of that other dog."

Our apartment also so no pets....we rang up said we like the look of the apartment. Explained we had two cats and two dogs....waited for the laughs but he asked what dogs we had. When we said Labs he said no problem.....

Our labs are now friends with his lab and they have play dates.

So it never hurts to ask!

Hi,

I'm new to the forum so here goes!

Have you found issues with having so many pets? We're moving 3 house cats and a boxer over in June.

My company's giving us an apartment for a month whilst we find something and after a recent visit we really like biel but there arent too many apartments available that i can find (company is based in Oensingen so I can get the train).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Lorna it is getting increasingly difficult to find housing that will accept dogs - cats are sometimes easier. Dislike of dogs, while a growing trend in Switzerland, is only part of the problem.

The real issue is that the housing market is tighter than tight - there simply isn't enough housing available for the huge numbers of folks moving to Switzerland, let alone those already here. It's a landlord's market, there are often a dozen or more applicants for every open property. Dog owners represent complications and expense - why rent to someone with a dog when there are plenty of other 'uncomplicated' tennants vying for the flat?

Be aware that as a dog owner you already have one strike against you in the undesireable tennant stakes - so you will need to emphasize your other positive qualities to beat out the competition.

First, consider paying up. There is less competition in the more expensive range.

Second, consider properties that are in poor condition or in undesireable locations - again less competition for these.

Heck, sometimes you find that you have to pay over the odds for a run down house in an inconvienent area - but if that's what it takes, that what you need to do.

A deal-breaking issue is often whether the dog will be left alone. If you can show that someone will be at home at all times when the dog is there you are in a better position. If you can't be at home, look into dogsitters so that you can show the landlord you have addressed the issue.

You will need to have liability insurance as a matter of course - but be proactive, show the landlord that you have addressed the issue of damage.

If you speak the local language that will be a big plus. If you don't consider hiring a relocation agent who does, who is connected, to advocate for you.

And of course, make sure the rest of your dossier is perfect.

It's not impossible to find housing, thank doG - but you will have to work harder, and likely pay more.

Good luck!

Thanks for that.

My husband seems to think that he'll be retiring (at 31) so Dolly the dog will never be left. Plus he's an animal trainer/ dog carer so even if he does work she'll still tag along.

The company I'm working for are going to start the relocation process next week so I'm going in with lots of questions which is great.

Thanks again.