Bear with me - I am having loads of questions re housing at the moment!

how long does it take for a rental application to be approved / rejected?

Does this mean that you cannot put it other applications for other properties in the meantime? I understand that you'll have to pay 200 CHF should your application be approved and you reject it.

Putting your eggs in one basket in this highly competitive environment means that you lose quite a bit of time not viewing and putting in application for other properties, should you see something else that is suitable as well, isnt it?

Hi again,

With regards to the fee of CHF 200.- you mentioned. This is not standard. A landlord or agency should inform you about their conditions when applying beforehand (read any documentation you get when visiting an appartment carefully). If you apply for appartments one at a time you'll get nowhere... in my experience...

As for the application process - it can take anywhere from days to weeks. I usually call them up 3-5 days after they should have received my application - to make sure they have it and find out how the odds are. It's not unheard that it has been rented out again before your application has been considered.
It is good to get in direct contact with the person in charge of the applications to let them know you mean business (as in: you are interested and do care about this place).

hth
Al

Most agencies and landlords wouldn't charge a fee for rejecting an application, it would make flat hunting an expensive business. Personaly I wouldn't use an agent who tried this on principle.

See as many flats as you need, otherwise you won't get a decent idea of what your money will get you.

EDIT: Took a couple of days for my approval

Thanks for the clarification on the 200 CHF! Reduced my stress levels a little - just a little!

my partner and i made loads of applications for apartments when we first moved here a year ago - we didnt pay anything for making the application; however, on the apartment that we were finally accepted for, the fee kicked in once we decided to proceed to the contract stage.

good luck.