Renting

If you decide to rent a house or an apartment, you will have to sign a rental agreement before you can move into the property. This contract ( bail à loyer in French) specifies the rent and utility charges you will have to pay. It will also be signed by the landlord or rental agency. Make sure you have all the required documents (e.g., residence permit and recent pay slips) when you apply to rent a house or apartment.

You will be asked to pay a rent guarantee, normally equivalent to two or three months’ rent, to cover costs in the event of damage to the property or unpaid rent. This amount is deposited in a special blocked savings account (BCV Rent Guarantee Savings Account) that you hold jointly with the rental agency, and only the interest earned can be withdrawn as long as the rental agreement is in effect. The funds are released when you vacate the property, in accordance with local law. At BCV, there is no annual fee for a rent guarantee account.

Buying

Find out more about buying property in Switzerland.