Be aware - it is common for rental agreements to have language about advance notice when you are leaving, specific moving dates (mostly in ZH), and requirements for finding a replacement tenant. These aren't "catches" per se, but normal contract clauses that have caused frustration for many renters. Make sure you read and understand any contract you sign, and if you don't understand have someone translate for you. Not understanding what you signed is not a valid excuse for breaking a contract. This goes for rental agreements, phone, insurance, TV, gym memberships, etc.
Hi, as far as I am aware immoscout and homegate are only listing websites and not really agents. Agents will charge commission only if you explicitly hire an agent to help find you an apartment. People put the details in their adverts if the apartment has been advertised by the owner or as is very popular here by an agency hired by the owner. Getting only a 6 month contract will be difficult unless you manage to find somebody would wants to sublet for that time. Plus will come the added work of furnishing it.
If you are here only for 6 months I would recommend going in for a furnished or serviced apartment. You can also try at homegate and immoscout for these. Try the following for this or do a google search for serviced apartments in Zurich and I am sure plenty of links will turn up. Some I have heard of.
City Apartments - no cleaning costs at the time of leaving the apartment. Not able to access this site right now but have used them and was happy with the service as they came with a weekly cleaning which was done by their crew. http://www.aas-ag.ch/serviced-apartments-zurich.html http://www.service-apartments.ch/bus...BCrich/preise/ http://www.easyservicedapartments.co...ikon-Dubs.html http://www.visionapartments.com/
check students.ch, there are quite of advertisements, including short-time ones.
DE|FR no EN for student.ch
Most websites here will not have EN option. Open the site in translate.google.com - that should help.
Same goes for rental contracts (and the other contacts I mentioned above). Most will not be in English.