Settling in Switzerland involves many formalities, and finding a home is often one of the first. For an expat, looking for an apartment can be particularly tricky: a competitive rental market, an application file to put together, Swiss documents you do not have yet, not to mention the rental guarantee.
The latter can in fact represent a significant sum to tie up as soon as you arrive. Fortunately, solutions exist to make this step easier. Firstcaution offers in particular a flexible rental guarantee, fully digital and particularly well suited to people settling in Switzerland.
So how do you go about renting your first apartment in Switzerland? Here are the main steps.
1. Define your budget and your search area
Before starting your search, determine the budget you can devote to your home.
Think about the rent, but also about service charges and the other expenses linked to your relocation: health insurance, transport, electricity, internet, furniture or even moving costs.
Then choose your search area based on your workplace, public transport and your lifestyle. Rents can vary considerably from one municipality to another.
If you arrive in Switzerland without knowing your region well yet, a temporary rental can also allow you to take the time to discover the different neighbourhoods.
Also plan ahead for your rental guarantee
When defining your budget, remember to include the rental guarantee. For a residential property, it can represent up to three months’ rent.
For an apartment at CHF 2'000 per month, this potentially means CHF 6'000 to plan for from the start of the tenancy.
With Firstcaution, you can opt for a rental guarantee without a bank deposit, which means you do not have to tie up this amount in an account.
Discover the rental guarantee
2. Search for your apartment
Once your budget has been defined, start looking at property listings.
When you find a home that interests you, check in particular:
- the amount of the rent and service charges;
- the availability date;
- the number of rooms;
- any additional fees;
- the amount of the rental guarantee;
- the conditions of the lease.
It is advisable to be responsive: attractive apartments can receive many applications.
3. Prepare a solid application file
In Switzerland, property managers and owners generally request several documents in order to review an application.
These may include:
- your identity document or passport;
- your employment contract or a certificate from your employer;
- proof of your income;
- an extract from the debt collection register, when you have one;
- the property manager’s application form.
Have you only just arrived in Switzerland?
This is one of the difficulties expats can face. You may not yet have all the Swiss documents requested.
In that case, prepare the documents available in your country of origin and ask the property manager which alternatives they accept.
A certificate from your employer stating your position, your salary and your start date can in particular be useful to complete your file.
4. Visit and submit your application quickly
During the viewing, check the general condition of the apartment and ask your questions about service charges, parking, pets, any planned works or the termination conditions.
If the home suits you, prepare your file and send it quickly.
A tip for expats: also prepare your rental guarantee solution in advance. This will allow you to react quickly if your application is accepted.
With Firstcaution, the guarantee application is made online in around 3 minutes, which allows you to anticipate this step without complex banking formalities.
Apply online
5. Choose your rental guarantee
The rental guarantee in Switzerland provides security for the landlord. For a residential property, its amount may not exceed three months’ rent.
Traditionally, the tenant pays this sum into a rental guarantee account with a bank. The money then remains tied up for the duration of the lease.
But this is not the only option.
Discover the rental guarantee
The rental guarantee without a bank deposit
With a guarantee solution, an insurance company acts as guarantor towards the landlord. The tenant pays a premium and does not need to tie up several thousand francs in a bank account.
This is precisely the principle behind the Firstcaution rental guarantee.
For expats, this solution can be particularly interesting during the first months in Switzerland, when relocation expenses are numerous.
Why choose Firstcaution?
Firstcaution is a Swiss insurance company authorised by FINMA and specialised in rental guarantee solutions.
The subscription is fully digital and registration takes around 3 minutes.
Depending on their situation, the tenant can choose between:
- 100% guarantee, with no bank deposit;
- a combination of guarantee and flexible deposit;
- 100% flexible deposit.
This flexibility means you can choose the solution best suited to your budget and your situation.
A rental guarantee from CHF 8/month
Firstcaution also offers monthly payment from CHF 8, depending on the guarantee chosen.
Rather than paying the annual premium in one go, the tenant can spread the payments over the year.
For someone who has just settled in Switzerland and already has to finance their move, their furniture or many other formalities, this option can make managing the budget easier.
The only rental guarantee that gives you money back
Firstcaution also stands out for its cashback system.
Subject to meeting the eligibility conditions, the tenant can get back 20% of the premiums paid at the end of their contract.
This is a particularity of the Firstcaution solution to take into account when comparing the different rental guarantee options in Switzerland.
Discover the rental guarantee
6. Sign your lease and prepare your move in
Has your application been accepted? It is time to finalise your tenancy.
Before receiving the keys, remember in particular to:
- sign your lease agreement;
- set up your rental guarantee;
- plan for the first month’s rent;
- take out the required insurance policies;
- organise your move.
If you have chosen a Firstcaution rental guarantee, the guarantee certificate is sent to the property manager or the landlord according to the agreed terms.
7. Carry out the handover inventory and move in
When you move into the home, a handover inventory is generally carried out.
Check the apartment carefully and report any defects. Also take a few photos if necessary and keep them.
Once the handover inventory is complete, you can finally settle in and start your new life in Switzerland.
The 3 tips to remember for expats
1. Prepare your file before you even start the viewings.That way you will be able to submit your application quickly.
2. Plan ahead for your rental guarantee.It can represent up to three months’ rent. A solution such as Firstcaution makes it possible to avoid tying up this sum in a bank account.
3. Think about your relocation budget as a whole.Between housing, moving, insurance and everyday expenses, the first months can be costly. The monthly payment offered by Firstcaution, from CHF 8 depending on the solution chosen, makes it possible to spread the cost of the guarantee over time.
FAQ – Renting an apartment in Switzerland as an expat
How much does a rental guarantee cost in Switzerland?
For a residential property, the guarantee can go up to three months’ rent. The exact amount is stated in the lease agreement.
Can you get a rental guarantee without a bank deposit?
Yes. A guarantee solution makes it possible to replace the bank deposit with a guarantee provided by an insurance company. Firstcaution offers this solution to tenants whose application is accepted.
Can you pay your Firstcaution rental guarantee every month?
Yes. Firstcaution offers monthly payment from CHF 8 depending on the solution chosen, or annual payment.
How does Firstcaution cashback work?
Subject to meeting the eligibility conditions, the tenant can get back 20% of the premiums paid at the end of the contract.
Are you preparing your arrival in Switzerland?
The Firstcaution rental guarantee can help you simplify this step and avoid tying up several months’ rent in a bank account.
Apply online and discover the solution suited to your situation.
Request my rental guarantee
Housing and deposit
For the full picture, guides and checklists, read more at the Swiss Expat Guide
This article was written by Firstcaution, a Swiss Starter Pack partner. It is general information, not advice.