because it's absurd to ask for all kinds of information if really what they care about is an assurance of the fact that they will be able to collect the rent. a statement of income should technically suffice (though I do realize it doesn't)...

That's YOUR opinion as a tenant, but hardly the opinion of the owner....
If I was renting out my house, I would want to know who was renting it rather than just whether they could pay for it. Landlords who are picky about who rent their properties are also generally more inclined to look after the property. From a tenant point of view I would have thought that wasn't a bad thing. Having been both an owner and a tenant I can see both sides. Also, having nothing to hide it never really worried me to fill out the application.

My suggestion to you antalt as a newcomer to this country is to try and avoid bucking the system. In case you haven't picked this up from the forum yet, the Swiss are a fairly conservative bunch. Being "imaginative" (for want of a better word) can sometimes backfire, although YMMV.

for the moment it doesn't matter what my opinion is...all I did is make a logical conclusion from DFH's post....if a guy could pay a year's rent and move in without the application process, then the ability to pay is far more important than anything else.

I wonder whether the OP antalt and his friends are still throwing money around? Sounds like they should hold on to it for a rainy day if you ask me....

So you get a years rent up front. Then you get your place trashed. I don't think the ability to pay is more important than getting an idea about the type of tenant who will be living in your investment.

Would you like some mayo for that massive chip you have on your shoulder there?

No chip and having worked in the airline industry for many years I have been on the job rollercoaster too. Been there, seen it, done it and so, I wouldn't wish anyone to lose their job...not even a banker.

However, I said at the time that I felt that the attitude displayed by the OP was particularly arrogant. It also displayed the kind of attitude, totally estranged from any reality, that many (not all) in the banking industry have displayed over the past years. It's a hard lesson to learn, but we may just all be better off after everything has come out in the wash and banks start concentrating on their customers again rather than on bonuses and shareholders....

Jeez.... really sour grapes, huh?

I don't know about clever, but it's the logical thing to do if you can afford the extra cash and cannot afford to spend weeks looking for housing.

it's as ethical as bargaining at the flea market - which is to say, completely.

morals - I'm not sure how that entered the picture...

Sour grapes would assume that I have an axe to grind...which I don't. But that doesn't preclude me from having an opinion, does it? As for it being ethical...it might be as ethical as gazumping. But looking at your profile I can see how this may be a sensitive subject. I am sorry for what you may be going through and hope you come through the storm ok.

It is something that will cross anyone who is struggling to find a place to live's mind...i was in a 26m2 serviced apartment paying 3200chf a month when i first moved here for 3 months, offering a bribe (or outbidding another interested party) is common sense if you can afford it or are under similar conditions.

Free market and all that, if you use ebay or ricardo, then you are being equally 'morally corrupt' by bidding higher than other users of it for something you want after the user has set an initial price.

If you don't see the difference between renting an apartment and using ebay or ricardo....

On ebay and ricardo the rules are clear...highest bidder wins. By offering to pay more on an apartment one would be creating new conditions which most people would be unaware of and therefore unable to participate in. I am almost certain that the person who would try and pull a stunt like this would be one of the first to complain if a landlord said he was auctioning the rental contract and the highest bidder gets the deal. I do hope that you can see where that would lead....or can't you?

I appreciate your sympathetic words, but am not sure about what I am supposed to be going through ...
pray do explain ... I would love to hear about the profound insights you have gained from my profile...

In real life, not snoopy-happyland, the person willing to pay the highest in these situations (all other conditions being equal) wins.

I do hope that you can see that....or can't you?

So your take is that landlords should rent their apartments to the highest bidder? I suggest you grow up....

Some do. I suggest you look at advertisements coyly worded as: "Offers invited over 2.6M". Even if the buyer offers to pay the asking price, an "Invitation to Treat" (in English law) the seller is not compelled to sell it. Special provisions for consumer transactions normally exist.

dave

Sigh, it's a greed based world, whatcha gunna do about it.

I am sure you are right, but it is neither widespread nor a generally accepted practice in the rental market.
Selling real estate is a different kettle of fish.

Join the renter's association?

I had a boss who loved to say "What goes around, comes around". He was right...

Let's hope so.