Finding Home

You will usually get the application form from the landlord at the viewing. For new buildings and properties being rented out for the first time, you may need to apply online. Complete the form carefully and fill in all the fields. Missing or unclear information may make your application seem less reliable. If something does not apply to you, write “none” – for example, if you have no debt enforcement proceedings.

Include a short personal letter (in German or French) with your application. Keep it brief, friendly and honest, and make sure it is clear and easy to read. Your letter should answer the following questions:

✅ Who is applying? (e.g. an individual, a family with children, a couple, etc.)
✅ Age
✅ Occupation / Studies
✅ Reason for moving (e.g. new job, a growing family, termination of your current tenancy, etc.)
✅ Why is this particular place right for you? (e.g. closeness to your workplace, school, family or social network, the right size, etc.)
✅ Pets

An extract from the debt enforcement register shows whether a person is or has been involved in debt enforcement proceedings. It helps landlords assess the financial reliability of prospective tenants. The extract is an official document. You can order it from your current municipality of residence, usually online. It must be no more than three months old.

If you are a Swiss citizen, include a copy of your ID card or passport. If not, include a copy of your B, C, G or L permit, or another document confirming your right to live in Switzerland.

The landlord will usually want to know about your income to make sure you can afford the rent. A common rule of thumb is 3:1, your monthly net household income should be at least three times the monthly rent.

Personal liability insurance covers damage that you or your children cause to another person or their property. Not every landlord requires this insurance or proof of it. However, we strongly recommend taking out personal liability insurance and including a copy of your insurance certificate with your application.

If the rent is more than one third of your income, you may need or want to provide a guarantor. This person agrees to cover any unpaid rent if necessary. Students, in particular, are often asked to provide a guarantor – usually a parent. You will need the following documents from your guarantor:

✅ Signed guarantee
✅ Copy of passport/ID, or residence permit
✅ Proof of income for the last three months
✅ Extract from the debt enforcement register

References, such as from previous landlords or employers, can help build trust. Important: Do not give someone's name as a referee without asking them first. The landlord is only allowed to contact people you have listed as referees.

✅ Address / floor / apartment number
✅ Net rent
✅ Heating and additional costs (advance payments or flat rate)
✅ Gross rent (net rent + Heating and additional costs)
✅ Size (m²)
✅ Included spaces or facilities (basement/cellar, attic space, laundry room, etc.)
✅ Additional rentes spaces (e.g. garage parking space)

Your initial rent may be no more than 10% higher than the previous tenant's rent, unless the property has been renovated or improved in a way that adds value. Ask the landlord or property management company about the previous rent. If necessary, you can challenge the new rent. Get support if you need it, for example from the Swiss Tenant's AssociationYou can even challenge the rent after signing the rental agreement – up to 30 days after receiving the keys.

If the heating and additional costs seem unusually high or low, ask the landlord about the actual costs from previous years. This can help you avoid large additional payments if you pay in advance, or an unreasonably high flat rate. If no additional costs are listed in the rental agreement, they are considered to be included in the rent.

The rental agreement will usually state the amount of the rental deposit. It may not exceed three months' rent, including heating and additional costs. Wait until you have signed the rental agreement before paying the deposit. Always pay it into a blocked account opened in your name specifically for this purpose.

BEWARE of fraudsters: Never pay the dopsit to a private bank account in advance.

Take your time during the handover and make sure all defects are clearly and accurately recorded. They should also be included in the rental agreement. Take photos or videos if needed.

If the rental agreement refers to general terms and conditions or house rules, these also form part of the agreement. Make sure you read them carefully. All terms in the rental agreement, the general terms and conditions and the house rules are legally binding, unless they go against the law. If they do, they are not valid – even if you have signed the agreement.

You don't have to work through the rental agreement on your own. If anything is unclear, ask for help or have someone check it for you. You could contact:

✅ the Swiss Tenant's Association
✅ a local advice in your municipality
✅ a trusted person with knowledge of rental agreements

If several people move into a property together, you need to decide who will sign the rental agreement. There are two main options: a joint tenancy, where several main tenants share the same rights and responsibilities, or a subletting arrangement, with one main tenant and one or more subtenants.

Ask friends or someone you trust for support. You can also find useful tips in – Step 1 – Your application and use our personal letter template. Local social services and advice centres in your municipality may also be able to help. AI tools such as ChatGPT can help you write a text. Just make sure you show it to someone who can check that the information is correct.

Ask a housing advice service in your municipality, a social service or at a local community center. Many offer help with filling in forms or completing online applications. Libraries and community centres sometimes also provide free access to computers and the internet.

Yes, but it may be more difficult. Be open with the landlord and explain what led to the debt enforcement proceedings and how you are dealing with the situation. Show that your finances are stable now – for example, with ​​a budget, proof of income or support from an advice service.

You should try to pay the deposit yourself, as this is the cheaper option in the long run. If this isn't possible, rental deposit insurance, such as AXA, SwissCaution or FirstCaution, may be an alternative. You pay an annual fee, which is not refunded. The Swiss Tenants' Association recommends this option only in exceptional cases. Depending on your situation, social services or charitable foundations may also be able to provide financial support or an advance. Contact an advice service to find out what help is available.

Focus your search on affordable housing, for example through housing cooperatives or non-profit housing providers. You can also ask a housing advice service in your municipality, a social service or a local community centre for support. If you receive social assistance or supplementary benefits, an official document confirming this can provide proof of your ability to pay the rent and improve your chances of being accepted.

Landlords have the right to check whether you can afford the rent and will usually ask for this information to do so. You are not legally required to provide it. However, your chances of being accepted are very low if you don't.

Some landlords may prefer Swiss applicants, but discrimination based on nationality is not allowed. What matters is that your application is complete and that you can show you are able to pay the rent. Meeting the landlord in person or having a good reference can also help you make a positive impression and improve your chances.

No. You don't need to share personal information that has nothing to do with your tenancy or your ability to pay the rent. Focus on the things that matter to a landlord: financial stability, reliability and why the property is right for you.