ok, i did something i am not proud of.
I was looking for a room and on Friday night i give my word to a guy that i would have moved in. I was not sure whether the guy was a good fit for me but I had no alternative rooms. (you know zurich).
Meanwhile during the week-end i have been contacted for a possible alternative, small chat and i was feeling much more comfortable with the new potential roommate.
But at first i refused, since i had already confirmed the first room, and on Tuesday night i when to the apartment only to sign the contract and check what i need to buy. The guy didn't had the contract and thus i did not signed anything.
Yesterday i met again with the other roommate and this morning i have been offered officially the second room. At 11am i sent an email to the old one to apology.
We phone each other. I feel so bad for backing up from my word that i am considering to pay him 1 week of rent for the inconvenience. He would like 2 weeks.
I know that the few $s would be only for the peace in the world and to ease my conscience . But i still feel kind of uncomfortable.

You offered a week, which was nice, he wants two, which is fair. Pay it, buy your conscience a free pass, and enjoy your new digs.

Oh- get a receipt .

If you didn't sign anything you don't owe him anything. Don't make an exceedingly simple situation harder than it is. Pay him if you want, but you certainly don't owe it to him.

Things like this happen all the time here, there, and everywhere. And while you might feel guilty, just get yourself out of the way so he can move on to find another tenant.

I understood that a verbal contract is binding in Switzerland. Hard to prove, yes, but is it worth 2 weeks rent to find out how far the other guy wants to take it?

I know i do not owe him anything. I am just not sure how bad is this for the swiss social rules. And i find kind of funny that i feel so much bad about it .

Interesting! Is it?

You could be right but unless there is a recording of the conversation I would think a verbal agreement is impossible to prove (well, this thread now makes it possible of course)... I understood that any written form of a contract is binding--so emails count and if the OP has had email correspondence of said verbal contract, then it is probably best to do whatever has to be done to make it go away.

It is in the UK too.

francesco, as you said - this is Zürich. Accomodation is hard to come by. If the room is as good as it is, it will go in no time.

You didnt sign anything, so you are under no obligation to pay him AT ALL. Offering him a week's rent was out of your good will (and guilt) and he wants two? Taking advantage of your guilt or what?

I know I'll tell that cheeky mare where to go.

Change your user name and avatar on EF and move on; you've only posted 23 times so no big deal. We'll be none the wiser....

How generous you are... no signing no paying!

That's life!

Com'on, i am having a laugh on greed, society and myself. Money is not a problem, my guilt a little more.

Yeah, but guilt is one of those emotions that you should never use to guide your actions. How many wars would be fought if soldiers used guilt as their conscience? On second thoughts......

even if switzerland recognizes verbal contracts, there was nothing of the sort created by your conversation.

I don't think a verbal agreement would be legally binding in this case but, to ease your conscience, pay him 1 week if it makes you feel better.
He's unlikely to try to sue you.

Except this...

None? and i think that is my point

I read it that way too, but there was no implied rent agreement. Just that she would move in, which could arguably be rent free if it is just a room with a mate.

Who else was there at the time?

You offered a week, this seems reasonable and I am sure with the housing situation in Switzerland he will fill the room in no time