Hi, I have read the stickys here and have checked homegate and the other sites for available flats to rent in Zurich. It seems that the majority of the advertisements I find are 'available immediately' or the 1st of April.

Since I am looking for a place in May (anytime in the first two weeks), there is not a lot offered to start during that time?

So my question is, is it too early to look for a flat in May or is there just not a lot available at that time in general? Judging by what I've read on here, the second is more likely as it seems 2 months ahead is not too early to be looking.

thanks

Some places only allow moving in and out on set dates of year like the first of April or October etc.
Then again many are more flexible with the month but the takeover date would usually be the first of the month anyway.
It's really not too early to look now as it can take months to find what you really want and need.

We had the same situation when we moved here and were looking from abroad.

The costly solution: Get one of the places free from April and start paying rent before you move in.

yeah I'm looking from England so it's not easy to get over there for the viewings. Having said that I will be going next week!

I see what you mean about getting a place from 1 April. I could potentially move in April 22; its just that I don't start work until mid-May. Maybe I'll do that if it looks like the best option.

This is how the renting system works in Switzerland, especially in Zurich where is extremely short of flats supply. Normally just Apr.1,Oct.1, sometime the 1.of Jul. are available to move. If these dates don't work, just paying the double rent to avoid homeless.

You could even try out negotiating with your employer to pick up the tab for the early rental. Works best if you are on a transfer with the same employer. My company picked up a month's rental caused due the same reason.

You will be at the back of the queue for April 1st start. Availability is pathetic and it is sellers market for rentals in zurich. Other options (slim) is to look at new builds coming onto the market in your time frame, but new builds are going at a premium as far as i know.

My advice - start looking like its your only job now, if you find a good place and the landlord accepts you, sign the contract asap.

To give you an idea my apartment (i am vacating it)was visited by 15 propsects and the choice is entirely the landlords and some can be very finicky.

Good luck with you hunt, hope you find something nice and with good neighbours.

Hey, I am starting an internship in Zurich on March 14th and have been looking for a flat/flatshare for a few weeks now, without any great success.. Do you have any good advice how should I proceed? I have been sending emails to people who have announced they have free rooms.

Usually there will be flats available on most dates as people move through out the year and will need to find their own replacement tenants. However, April 1 is one of the two most common dates given by almost all landlords as an "ordinary" moving date which means that as long as the current tenant gives his notice ahead of time (usually 3 months), he is not liable to find his own replacement tenant. This makes the number of flats available from May 1 much much lower for you...

Not sure what you are looking for and what your budget is, but my flat in Zurich city center (see EF apartment advert section) is available from mid/late April or May 1 if you are interested! I missed the notification and the official April 1 move-out date

yeah, I'm seriously considering flats from April 1 but like someone said I'm at the back of the queue for those. Luckily through word of mouth with contacts in the area I've found some options; I'm still amazed that a lot of places change hands without ever being advertised.

I saw your ad and while the place looks great I'm looking for something closer to 2000CHF. Please let me know if you come across anything in that range, and if I hear of someone looking for a place like yours I'll pass the info on.