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Can I rent if I am not a resident?
Yes you can.  But you have to make sure that you respect visa requirements and do not overstay in Switzerland. Landlords have to report you to the local population office. They better know what you intend to do. We can take care of this for you.

How do I become a resident?
There are many ways one can become a Swiss resident. We offer services in many cases - please check our Swiss residence page.

What is the rent level in Switzerland?
Swiss rents are comparable to those of other European countries. There are great variations between areas. As an example, a 100m2 appartment would cost CHF.1,500 a month in a small city around Lake Geneva up to CHF.3,000 a month for a luxury appartment in a larger city. A beautiful house with an overlooking view of the lake can cost between CHF.5,000 up to CHF.15'000 or more for a luxurious ambassador residence.

What sort of quality should I expect from rented accommodation?
The Swiss build houses that last a 100 years or more. That means that building standards are very high in every price category. Many exeptional places can be rented, such as for example a 15th century castle that we found for a client!

Can I find furnished accommodation?
Yes you can. This is not common in Switzerland but in some cities (Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich ...) there's a market that offers surprisingly good quality appartments.

What is the typical lease duration?
Most leases are made for a one year, renewable period. Some landlords ask for 5 years terms in brand new, highly desirable buildings.

Can the landlord kick me out?
No he can't, as long as you pay. Tenants rights in Switzerland are stronger than in a communist country and landlords have no power to expell tenants who pay their rent on time.

How easy is it for me to terminate my lease?
It is quite easy. You can cancel it for the end of the lease (usually one year with a three months notice period). If you are in a hurry you can also present the landlord with another tenant, which he can refuse only in very specific circumstances.

What do landlords ask before they accept a new tenant?
Swiss landlords are much less carefull than their American, French or British counterparts when it comes to selecting a tenant. With a good reference letter from our part, the only element that most landlords will ask is a 3 month deposit. If you don't want to tie the cash down, there are several insurance companies that can vouch for you against a yearly payment. Basically it is a first-come, first-served game in most areas. Some highly prized buildings might favor stable tenants but this is rare. If you are a wealthy celebrity you do have an edge.

Do landlords accept pets? Children?
Most of them do. It is quite rare for landlords to ask questions about pets or children and turn down a tenant application because of them.

How can your company help me find a dream rental?
We offer an highly-efficient house search service that can locate and help you secure your dream rental in Switzerland.





The information contained in this website is not meant to substitute qualified legal advice given by a specialist knowing your particular situation. We can accept no responsibility for the consequences of decisions made following information found on this website. Micheloud & Cie is not a bank and neither sollicits nor accepts deposits. Currency conversion and interest rates provided on this website are listed for informational purpose only and may not be up-to-date. More >>
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