Hi everyone, this is my first post here although I have been viewing the forum for the past two years in Geneva and it is very helpful indeed.
My question is about changing my address but due to some reason the person subleasing his room to me does not want OCP know that I am living in his apartment. So I ask my friend for help and she allows me to use her place as c/o address. I haven't sent out the application form yet (I am waiting for a code from OCP that allows me to change address online) but will OCP allow me to change to my friend's c/o address? I heard that OCP will ask for proof that I am living in given address and I certainly can't offer any in this case.
Also my bank (UBS) refuses to register my friend's address because it is c/o. Is there anyway to get around this? Can I just fill in the room number and address without referring to the person? (my name won't be on the mailbox, so will the mails be returned because of this?)
Thanks for the help. I thought finding a new housing in Geneva is hard enough but this address thing is really driving me nuts...
I hate to say it, but the whole thing sounds dodgy and I would look for a new place asap. There’s no reason for him not to let you inform OCP unless he hasn’t informed the landlord/agency that he’s subletting or he’s living here illegally somehow. Tell your “landlord” that it’s not acceptable and you must inform OCP of your address.
And yes, mail will probably be returned if your name’s not on the mail box.
The landlord is actually a friend of my classmate so I think he is fine. His apartment is government sponsored as far as I know and his regie does not want anyone subleasing their rooms. If OCP knows of the address change, the regie somehow gets informed as well and will terminate the contract with him...
So will OCP accept a c/o address? How do you guys deal with the bank? I assume I am not the only one that can not have his name put on the mailbox, am I?
Yes, this is exactly why it’s dodgy. I don’t know anything about government sponsored housing, but if he’d told the regie he was going to sublet I think it would probably have been fine. A landlord/regie can’t stop you subletting without a good reason providing you tell them first. But now there are indeed grounds for termination.
I suspect he is earning some extra by subleasing and that's why he can't tell the regie. But who am I to pick and choose, the housing market in Geneva gives little choice to the buyers.
It is good to know OCP is at least ok with it. The bank could be a problem but I will see if I can come up with some solution.
If your friend of classmate is doing something he is not supposed to do, then you are just helping him because you know that.
Remember that it is your responsibility to give OCP correct information and statements about where you live, and that it is you to bear the consequences if they discover that you fail to do so.
With regard to OCP, the problem is not the address but rather a renting contract. If you want to "pretend" that you live in your friend's flat, you need a subleasing contract with her. Otherwise OCP will not accept your address. I do not know in Geneva but in Bern a subleasing contract is a must. I had a colleague who did the same and he made a subleasing contract of 0 CHF/month with a friend and it was accepted by OCP.
In addition, you will need to ask your friend to add your name to the mailbox. UBS won't accept a c/o address, and without your name on the mailbox your mails will simply be returned.
Well, if you want to risk being thrown out with him when the regie finds out go ahead. But I’d keep looking for a new place where you don’t have to be secretive about where you’re living. And don’t forget I said “may” for the OCP. There’s no guarantee.
He told me about the address restriction at the last minute so I dont really have other options... The lease is short term though, I am also looking for other housing at the moment. Thanks for the info, if what you said is also true in Geneva, things can get quite complicated. I guess I will try ask my previous residence and see if they can keep my mails until I move to a more reliable place.
If you really have no choice for the moment. What you can do:
1. Live in the place of your friend of classmate (him).
2. Make a subleasing contract with your friend (her). OCP should have a template of the contract. You just have to fill in.
3. Register in her place at OCP with the subleasing contract.
4. Ask her if she can put your name on her mailbox. It should be no problem since she is willing to help you and sign a subleasing contract with you. Otherwise you will have problem, at least with the bank.
In the same time, looking for a permanent residence for you, which is most important. It will save you a lot of pain in the future.
I have been using Earth Class Mail in Beaverton OR for many years. Not as cheap as I'd like, but essential for having a USA address. (Together with my USA Vonage telephone number nobody has to know I'm in CH or elsewhere. With my WiTopia subscription, even my IP address is "secured".)
Earth Class Mail franchised their system to SwissPostBox.
FWIW, accomplishing the same thing the old way (a physical PO Box and mail forwarding by Postes Canada) costs my business around Can.$1,200 a year. I don't pay anything in CH or GB because I make my concierge (CH) or tenants (GB) take care of my post.