Garanzia d’affitto in Svizzera: deposito bancario o cauzione assicurativa?

When you rent an apartment in Switzerland, the rental guarantee represents a significant sum to plan for. For a residential property, it can correspond to up to three months’ rent. For a rent of CHF 2'000, this can therefore represent CHF 6'000.

But do you necessarily have to deposit this sum in a bank account? No. In Switzerland, the bank deposit and the rental guarantee insurance are two solutions to consider.

Bank deposit for a rental guarantee: how does it work?

With a bank deposit, the tenant pays the amount of the guarantee into a rental guarantee account with a bank. The sum remains tied up for the duration of the lease and is then released according to the conditions applicable at the end of the tenancy.

This solution makes it possible to deposit the amount requested by the landlord directly, but it has one drawback: the money is no longer available for the duration of the lease.

For a guarantee of CHF 6'000, this therefore means CHF 6'000 tied up, when this sum could be used for other expenses linked to settling in Switzerland.

Rental guarantee without a bank deposit: what is the alternative?

The rental guarantee insurance makes it possible to avoid depositing the full guarantee in a bank account.

The principle is simple: an insurance company acts as guarantor towards the landlord. In return, the tenant pays a premium to benefit from this guarantee.

This is how Firstcaution works, a Swiss insurance company authorised by FINMA and specialised in digital rental guarantees.

With a rental guarantee without a bank deposit, the tenant can keep their cash available while providing the guarantee requested by the landlord.

Firstcaution rental guarantee: a flexible solution

Firstcaution offers different rental guarantee solutions in order to adapt to the tenant’s situation:

• 100% rental guarantee without a bank deposit
• Combination of guarantee insurance and flexible deposit
• 100% flexible deposit

The application is made entirely online, in around 3 minutes, which can be particularly practical when settling in Switzerland.

Rental guarantee with monthly payment: from CHF 8

The cost of a rental guarantee can also be spread over time.

With Firstcaution, you can choose monthly payment of the rental guarantee premium from CHF 8, depending on the solution chosen.

This option can be of interest to people who have just settled in Switzerland and already have to plan for many expenses: moving, furniture, insurance, transport or administrative fees.

Rental guarantee with cashback: up to 20% of the premiums recoverable

Firstcaution also offers a cashback system on the rental guarantee.

Subject to meeting the eligibility conditions, the tenant can get back 20% of the premiums paid at the end of the contract.

This is an additional element to take into account when comparing the cost of a bank deposit with that of guarantee insurance.

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Bank deposit or rental guarantee insurance: what is the difference?

The choice mainly depends on the tenant’s financial situation and on whether or not they want to tie up a significant sum.

The bank deposit can suit tenants who have the necessary sum available and wish to use this traditional method.

The rental guarantee insurance can be an alternative for those who prefer to keep their money available rather than tie up several months’ rent.

Which rental guarantee should you choose in Switzerland?

There is no single solution suited to every tenant. The choice depends in particular on the amount of the guarantee, your financial situation and your needs.

For tenants who wish to avoid tying up several months’ rent in a bank account, Firstcaution offers a flexible rental guarantee, with several options adapted to different situations.

What sets Firstcaution apart in particular:

• A flexible rental guarantee: choose between a guarantee, a flexible deposit or a combination of the two.
• Monthly payment: the premium can be paid every month, from CHF 8 depending on the solution chosen.
• Cashback of up to 20%: part of the premiums can be recovered at the end of the contract, subject to the eligibility conditions.
• Teams available throughout the day: the Firstcaution teams are at your disposal in 4 languages, to support you in your formalities.
• A fully digital process: registration is done online in a few minutes, a particularly practical advantage when settling in Switzerland from abroad.

For an expat, this flexibility can make all the difference when settling in: less money tied up, payment terms that fit and support available in your own language.

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FAQ on the rental guarantee in Switzerland

What is the maximum amount of a rental guarantee in Switzerland?

For a residential property, the rental guarantee can correspond to three months’ rent at most.

Can you have a rental guarantee without a bank deposit?

Yes. Rental guarantee insurance makes it possible to provide a guarantee to the landlord without depositing the full amount in a bank account, when this solution is accepted under the lease.

How much does a Firstcaution rental guarantee cost?

The price depends in particular on the amount of the guarantee and the solution chosen. With monthly payment, the premium can be paid from CHF 8 per month, according to the applicable conditions.

How do you take out a rental guarantee online?

With Firstcaution, the application can be made entirely online. Registration takes around 3 minutes and the guarantee certificate can then be sent to the property manager or the landlord.

Can you recover part of the cost of a rental guarantee?

With Firstcaution, cashback of 20% of the premiums paid can be granted at the end of the contract, subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.

Rental guarantee or bank deposit: which one should you choose?

The bank deposit ties up the sum corresponding to the guarantee, whereas guarantee insurance allows you to keep this money available. The choice therefore depends in particular on the tenant’s financial situation and needs.