We've been here a month and we have been offered an apartment. It comes with a washer and dryer (weehoo) and is at the higher end of our desired rent range. However, we discovered today that we are required to also rent the parking space for an additional CHF 130/mo. This makes the apartment a little less desirable for us. Theoretically the agency will put out an advert and try to find a renter for the space, but since it's a relatively residential area, it would probably be a neighbor and we don't have a good feeling for how easy it will be to find a renter.

Is it normal to require rental of the parking space with the apartment? We've been using google translate and it makes it sound like a parking space is available, but not necessarily required to be rented. If they mention the parking space in the advert does that mean it's a package deal?

We're not sure what we want to do since the parking space makes it that much more expensive but we want to learn from this in case we're still in the hunt.

Unless specifically agreed upon there is no law that says you are compelled to rent a parking space. Normally the apartment would be advertised together with a parking space if available. This is however left to the discretion of the renter. If they should require a space they would have first choice.

I would challenge them in the fact that you don't have a car and don't want a space - they are of course trying to get +130 per month.

For the fact that the space has a separate price, you might suggest that they are trying it on

Well, now that we've told them we don't want the place they might be willing to negotiate on the parking space.

However, we might still not take the place because even though it would be wonderful to have our own washer and dryer it would be nice to spend our CHFs on something more fun.

errhm, we do the same, and rent the place in the garage separately to the flat,and it's also clearly stated in our renting contracts.

If someone uses only public transport and has no need they then do NOT need to rent a place,but for those who got a car we want them to take one as we have only three visitors places outside and no desire to have them clogged up all the time by ppl who live in our house and want to save somebucks on the back of the others,the third option is, if they got a car and don't want to rent a place, then they have to look elsewhere to park their car.

This is only fair towards all the other tenants, who pay for their place!

So it's worth checking out the details why they want you to rent a place in a garage/parking space as well.

it seems like the manager is trying to get some more money out of you. but there is nothing you can do, take it, leave it, or negotiate. the manager probably knows the space is not worth 130chf. because if they did they would have included it in the price of the apartment and not tried to trick you afterwards with add on prices. or they would have rented it out to someone willing to take it.

as for 130chf dont believe that everyone tells you thats the value. i was told my space was worth 150chf, i live in Lugano, and cant rent it out even for 25chf a month. why because there is an office building nearby, that everyone parks at overnight, then leave early in the morning.

if the manager is already trying to stiff you with extra costs, it should raise a RED FLAG... switzerland is the land of hidden charges and excess fees... be careful.

You could look on homegate to see how much parking spaces in your area rent out for - I'm sure this is where the landlord will advertise the space

I can understand where the landlord is coming from as there is now a requirement to have parking spaces for relating to the floor space of the appartment - I'm not sure if this is a recommened practice or law - but they have to build these so of course want some money back for them as they would no doubt have preferred to have an appartment instead of a large parking area.

If he still wants you to rent it ask if you can sublet it and put it on homegate - though it is useful to have a parking space if you have guests - or even for things like bikes, buggies etc (if its in a garage)

Okay. I understand now that if a tenant owns a car, it makes sense that you want them to rent a parking space so they don't take the visitor parking spaces.

We've told the agent we want the apartment, but we don't want the parking space. Unfortunately the owner is on holiday so we still have no resolution. It's been two weeks since we got the first phone call and this process seems to be moving very slowly. But that's probably because we're anxious to find a place to call home.

An underground parking space may cost around 25k and is generally bought separately along with the apartment, so you can understand the owner not being too happy not seeing a return on that investment.

They've found another renter that wants the parking space, so we're back where we started. I guess the lesson learned is to not apply for any apartments that we can't also afford the parking space.

Given the tightness of the rental market in Zurich, you might consider taking the next one that meets your requirements and then sublet the parking space as has been suggested previously. I doubt you'd have too much problem finding someone looking for off-street parking in your neighborhood.

Yep, we have now realized our foolishness. We should have just taken the place with the parking space and moved on. So, if anyone else is in a similar situation, if you like the place, take it, because who knows when you'll get the next offer.