Tips on how to rent an apartment in Geneva

The whole world wants to live in Geneva it seems. This makes it hard to find an apartment to rent in Geneva. Here are a few tips which should make the apartment search easier.

Once you have viewed an apartment, it is necessary to apply for the flat. Most people just fill in the rental form of the rental agency, attach a paper from the enforcement office confirming that they have always paid your bills and that’s it. However, if you want to convince a rental agency that you are the perfect tenant, it is advisable to provide it with more info. Write a friendly introduction letter (ideally in French), attach a CV and some references from a former tenant. A copy of your work contract helps to assure the landlord that you will be able to pay the rent. In short: prepare a perfect application dossier as if you’d apply for a job!

Also it is important to be quick if you want to rent an apartment in Geneva successfully. A lot of apartment or room offers are only published for a few days, very attractive apartments might even only be published a few hours. Check all relevant real estate websites (like flatsforexpats.com) every day and contact the the landlords immediately. If there is a phone number indicated, call and ask for a flat viewing. Note: apartment and room offers on flatsforexpats.com are not published on major housing websites. Check the apartment offers for Geneva here.

Even if you have to contact a lot of rental agents or landlords, it is important to still address them in a polite and formal way. A lot of people are in a hurry and just write something like “Hi, I’m interested, can I come and see it?”. As there are often hundreds of people wanting to see an attractive apartment in Geneva, a lot of landlords preselect people according to their contact message. So be formal, address the landlord with name, say something about you, and attach your application dossier. There is only one chance to make a first impression – good luck!

Do you have any tips on how to rent an apartment in Geneva successfully? Please share them!