Hi everyone,

I hope I am not repeating a previous thread.

I am new to Zurich and was wondering what is the normal procedure regarding applying for a house to rent. My partner and I have viewed this really nice house and it would be perfect for us. We have let the landlord know we are interested and she has since sent out an application letter for us to sign.

Now in her email she has stated that she is happy to take 2 months rent but in the application letter it still states 3 months’ rent, do we amend this as I would not be happy signing something that is incorrect? We also mentioned to her about Swiss caution (an insurance company who guarantee any damages etc that a deposit would without having to get up a deposit) and she said she would look into it but the application letter has that we agree on paying a deposit of 3 months’ rent.........I don’t want to lose this place but I don’t want to sign anything that I can’t afford or that was not agreed upon.......

Also, how long does it normally take for a landlord to get in touch with you to tell you, you either got the place or not??

Thank you for any input you can give!

Hi Irishmammy. Look the whole renting business has so many pitfalls you would not believe it. Getting a house is bad enough but giving it up is worse still! Three months deposit is the usual here. As you are only applying (not signing the contract yet) bear in mind there may be 10, 20 30... other people applying. It is so competitive here, it can take months to find a place or you can be lucky. That could affect how long you are left waiting for news of acceptance. (Or news at all?)
What I mean is if you really like it I wouldn't risk turning her off your application by not showing you are willing and ABLE to put down 3 months rent. As for Swiss Caution, not everybody will accept this.The deposit goes into a special account, in your names, you gain the interest, just you cannot withdraw it without the landlady signing for it's release. You then get insurance for any accidental damage you might cause to the property which covers problems unsolved when you are giving back the house.
Hope that helps a bit... Good hunting... but keep looking while you are waiting...

Thank you Mabern for the very helpful advice. I know what you mean about the deposit - the only reason why we suggested Swiss Caution was because we are still paying some rent back in the UK for the 1st 3 months as a fall back plan whilst my partner is still on probation in his job as you just never know. Also we will have to move out a month earlier than expected from our paid apartment if we were to get this house so I suppose I thought it wouldn't be possible to get up that kind of money so quickly.

We will have to come up with another plan like you said to make us look like the best candidates possible for the house as we seem to be up against some competition.

Here's to happy house hunting then !

I didn't mean to sound all negative and heavy. It's just it's so competitive here, quite a shock to view a place with forty others and the current tenants there with their children. I did it for a friend once just to get application forms for her... she was past caring what the place was really like and had to work so she couldn't go herself! But I do think that varies a lot. I've never seen those sort of crowds around where we live, just a few couples at most. Don't be afraid to search in areas well outside the centre, the trains are so good here it's easy to get around- and it's tiny as cities go.

Oh god that situation with the 40 other people sounds horrible - I don't know what is worse the poor people having to view the house with so many other 'competitors' or the poor people still living there lol!!!

You gave helpful advice nothing less so don't worry I didn't take it any other way . I am finding that houses just outside the areas I have been looking at are bigger and you get more for sometimes less then what you would pay for nearer to the city centre.

I've been here a few times but never for very long so I have lived in a few different places in Zurich. Once we lived in Oerlikon for some months. Next time in Wollishofen. Near the lake is great for walks. In fact all the way down the lake on that side has nice towns and a great train service.