Market overview
Very tight supply and high rents, especially Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne.
Search portals
- Homegate, ImmoScout24
- Anibis for private ads
- Local agencies
Tip
Apply to several flats at once; prepare a complete dossier in advance.
Application dossier
- ID or passport
- Permit or application receipt
- Employment contract with salary
- Recent bank statements
- Debt enforcement extract (Betreibungsregisterauszug)
Lease and deposit
- Minimum term often one year, then tacit renewal
- Deposit up to three months on a blocked account
- Notice often three months (sometimes six for first lease)
Rent components
- Net rent, warm rent with utilities, or advance with annual settlement
Utilities to arrange
- Electricity supplier choice
- Internet/TV: Swisscom, Sunrise, UPC, Salt
- Liability and household contents insurance
Go deeper
Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.
Lease types (summary)
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Head-lease vs sub-let | Who is party to the landlord contract; cantonal rules on subletting |
| Unfurnished / furnished | Notice periods and deposits differ—read your cantonal form |
| Rental deposit | Often a blocked rental-security account or insurance policy; caps vary by law |
| Service charges | Nebenkosten breakdown—heating/hot water may be billed separately |
Market & applications
Portals
Very tight markets in Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne—prepare debt-register excerpts, references, and guarantors where needed.
Tenant associations
Rent increases, defects, and disputes are handled with cantonal tenancy law—tenant unions give free or low-cost advice.
Utilities & Serafe
Power & telecom
Separate contracts from rent; compare tariffs and notice rules.
Data protection
Online applications are common—only upload what landlords truly need.
Note
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.