My current situation: I saw a studio today and I'd like to send my application tomorrow morning. But there is another studio I'm seeing in a few days that seems better from its description. I will most likely submit an application for that one as well. This is not a likely situation, but let's just say that I am chosen for the first studio, will I have some time to await the response from the second studio? Do people apply to one place at a time or submit multiple applications for a better chance?? Thanks in advance. - Jane
It's normal to look at and apply for several. Don't sign a contract though until your happy with the apartment on offer. It gets complicated and expensive to back out once you've signed.
Given the competition for apartments it's pretty much the norm to apply for more than one apartment at a time. In areas where rental property is scarce such as Lausanne you would have to be incredibly lucky to be accepted for the first apartment you applied for.
I've noticed on some applications you have to pay a fee if you refuse to accept the apartment. Is this true only for when they choose you and you refuse or do you have to pay the fee even if they don't choose you? Or does it depend on the reĢgie?
There is no obligation to accept an apartment which you have merely applied for.
However, if they then ask if you want the apartment, and you say yes, they will prepare a contract. If you do not sign that contract, they will expect you to pay a 'modest' fee (100-200 francs I think is normal) to cover the 'costs' of writing the contract. Sometimes the application form mentions this, but they will charge the fee even if it doesn't.
And obviously, if you do sign the contract, then you are more or less on the hook to at least find a nachmieter (replacement tenant) if you don't want to keep the apartment.
I've just been given an offer for the first apartment I've applied to. I haven't yet said anything. However, I'm applying for my first choice apartment tomorrow morning.
Should I agree to draw up a contract for the first studio and try to drag the process on for as long as I can until I find out the decision of my first choice apartment? (I believe the fee for canceling the contract for the first studio is around 70 CHF). This juggling is quite stressful.
You are very lucky to have received an offer in a very tight housing market. I'm guessing the place us somewhere you could see yourself living if you don't get your first choice? I'm guessing you need to tell them fairly quickly and can't wait until you receive a decision from the other place.
If the fee for cancelling the contract once they've started the process is only 70chf then I would probably accept the one you've been offered and suck up the fees if the first choice works out.
It would be terrible to turn down this one and then find yourself with nothing should the first choice fall through. Do make sure if the fees/cancellation process before accepting though.
It is quite normal to apply on several appartments. But if they accept your application and you refuse, they will generally charge you a small amount. As soon as you have choosen an apartement, call the other you've send applications to and revoke them
They cannot charge anything, even if it is printed on the form and one is forced to "agree". Simply refuse to pay, nothing will happen. Most agencies know the rules rather well.
Do apply for as many apartments as you wish, make sure to sign precisely one contract in the end.
Please do not. You are expected to negotiate in good faith.
Also, there might be another applicant waiting for you to decline what would actually be their first choice apartment. But until they get the decision, they might be tempted to drag the process elsewhere. And the cycle continues...
Don't be bothered if they hassle you if you later turn down their offer. We applied for three apartments. The third one we looked at was the best and we negotiated with the owner and lined up the whole lease and everything was good...then the first one got back to us...4-5 weeks later...and were somewhat rude on the phone when we told them we had already signed somewhere else...really...
The other one took 2-3 months to reply and were likewise disappointed when we told them that actually we'd already signed and moved by then to our new place!
We learnt that some landlords/agents are a lot more efficient than others!
The landlord we actually signed with has turned out to be a good one - never bothers us, solves problems, clear communication and we always pay our rent on time!
This is a valid consideration to take into account as well. I've heard horror stories from both foreigners and Swiss locals about quality of landlords - whether they're intrusive (regardless of the law), whether they effect repairs in a timely manner, etc etc. And there's plenty of references to landlords on this forum.
If I were renting again, I'd be checking into the landlord as well, rather than being wowed by apartment size/layout/location. I'd hate to have a dream apartment and a crap rental boss!
I'm sure you've already done it, but make sure you're clear on the community costs that you need to contribute to as well and the community rules. It came as a shock to us that we were helping fund the jacuzzis of 3 tenants because we shared water & electricity rather than having individual meters. And when we received the rules that recommended no flushing of loos after 10pm....hurrumph!
If you really think the 2nd one would be better, you have a chance at it and you don't mind paying the administration fee on the 1st one, why not? Either way you will have a flat. The regie will take a few days to print up the lease and get it to you, so you most likely have until mid next week to try and push for an answer on the 2nd flat.