Everything you
need to know.

What does a shared room in the canton of Zurich cost?

Prices vary depending on location, room size and furnishings. In the canton of Zurich, rents for furnished shared rooms are usually between CHF 1,100 and CHF 1,500 per month. Rooms directly in the city of Zurich are somewhat more expensive, rooms in surrounding municipalities somewhat cheaper.

Feel free to write to us with your budget – we will surely find a suitable offer.

What is included in the rent?

For shared rooms, the following utilities are included in the rent:

• Electricity & heating
• Water consumption
• Fast internet (Wi-Fi)
• Regular cleaning of the common areas (kitchen, bathroom, hallway)

So you pay one flat amount per month – with no hidden extra costs.

How high is the deposit and how can I pay it?

The deposit amounts to 1 month’s rent. It must be paid in full before the key handover. Unfortunately, payment in instalments is not possible.

Cash payment is possible. Alternatively, you transfer the deposit to our account. After you move out, you request the deposit back from us – provided no damage has occurred, you get it refunded.

Can I pay the rent monthly?

Yes, the rent is paid monthly in advance. You transfer the amount at the beginning of each month. The exact payment date is stated in your tenancy agreement.

Which rooms do I share with my flatmates?

You share the kitchen, bathroom and possibly a shared hallway or entrance area. Your room is exclusively yours – you have your own key and full privacy.

In the kitchen you have labelled storage space and a numbered area in the fridge so that everyone has their own place. There are also numbered storage areas in the bathroom.

Who are my flatmates?

That can vary – often working professionals, students or people who are temporarily in the canton of Zurich for work live together. We have a conversation with every person before they move in, in order to ensure a pleasant living atmosphere.

This is not a classic party flatshare concept – ideal for people who value peace and privacy.

How many people typically live in a flatshare?

That depends on the individual property. As a rule, 2 to 5 people live in a flatshare. Larger houses can also have more rooms. You can see the exact number of rooms and the size of the flatshare in the respective listing.

Are there house rules?

Yes, the usual rules of a flatshare apply:

• Leave the common areas clean after use
• Be considerate of quiet hours (especially at night and at the weekend)
• Label your own food and store it in the designated areas
• Dispose of waste in accordance with municipal regulations

The specific house rules are set out in the tenancy agreement and explained during the viewing.

May I have visitors?

Yes, short visits are of course welcome. Overnight guests are usually possible too, but should remain the exception and must not disturb the other residents. Please check your tenancy agreement – any rules about guests are stated there.

Which documents do I need to rent a room?

All you need is a photo or scan of your valid ID – i.e. a Swiss ID card, passport or residence permit.

We do not require a debt collection extract, proof of salary or employer confirmation. That makes the process fast and uncomplicated – especially for newcomers to Switzerland.

Can I move in today?

That is possible provided a room is immediately available, the tenancy agreement has been signed and the payment has been received. Many rooms are equipped with a key safe – so you can move in flexibly, even outside normal office hours.

Can I register officially?

Yes. With your signed tenancy agreement you can register with the residents’ registration office of the relevant municipality in the canton of Zurich and have the shared room entered as your official place of residence.

Do I have to submit a debt collection extract?

No. We do not require a debt collection extract. This is particularly helpful for people who are new to Switzerland and do not yet have a long credit history.

What is included in the room?

The rooms are fully furnished. As a rule they contain:

• Bed with mattress, duvet and pillow
• Wardrobe or clothes rail
• Desk and chair
• Shelving or chest of drawers

You can see the exact furnishings in the photos of the respective listing. Personal items such as towels, kitchenware or bed linen (apart from the duvet and pillow) are up to you.

Is the room clean when I move in?

Yes. Before every move-in the room is thoroughly cleaned. You receive fresh bed linen as well as clean mattress covers and mattress protectors. All textiles are either new or industrially cleaned. Cleanliness is very important to us.

Are there crockery and cooking utensils in the kitchen?

No, you bring your own pans, plates, cutlery and other kitchen utensils. However, you can ask your flatmates whether you would like to share certain items – in practice this often works very well.

Who cleans the common areas?

The common areas (kitchen, bathroom, hallway) are cleaned professionally on a regular basis. This is included in the rent. Naturally, all residents are still expected to leave the rooms tidy after use.

Is there Wi-Fi in the room?

Yes, fast internet is included in the rent. You receive the Wi-Fi access details at the key handover.

Can I decorate my room the way I want?

Yes. You are free to make the room your own – your own furniture, pictures, plants and decorations are all welcome. Please only avoid changes that leave marks (for example drill holes or paintwork). When you move out, the room should be back in its original condition.

How long do I have to stay at minimum?

The minimum rental period is 1 month. There is no upper limit – some tenants stay with us for just a few weeks, others for several years.

How quickly can I give notice?

Depending on the tenancy agreement, a notice period of 14 or 30 days applies. You can give notice effective mid-month or at the end of the month. The exact deadlines are stated in your tenancy agreement – the contract details always apply.

Is there a notice freeze over the holidays?

Yes. Termination between 1 December and 15 January is not possible. In this case the end of the tenancy automatically shifts to 15 January. So plan your move-out early enough if you want to leave over the turn of the year.

How do I submit my notice?

You can simply send your notice by e-mail to info@zimmer-in-zuerich.ch. Alternatively, a registered letter by post is possible. We confirm the termination in writing as soon as we have received it.

When do I get the deposit back?

After you move out and return the keys, the room is inspected. The refund is not automatic: please request your deposit from us after moving out – an e-mail is the easiest way. Provided there is no damage, we then transfer the amount back. In case of damage, the corresponding amount is deducted.

How do I dispose of waste correctly?

In Switzerland – and in the canton of Zurich – there is a strict obligation regarding waste disposal. Depending on the municipality, you have to buy special chargeable rubbish bags or waste stickers. You can usually get these in local retail stores (e.g. Migros, Coop, Landi).

Glass, PET, cardboard and other recyclables are disposed of free of charge at the designated collection points.

How does recycling work in the canton of Zurich?

The canton of Zurich has a well-developed recycling system. At public collection points you can hand in the following materials free of charge:

• Glass (separated by colour)
• PET bottles
• Aluminium and tinplate
• Cardboard and paper
• Waste oil and batteries

You can find the location of the nearest collection point on your municipality’s website.

Which shops and transport links are nearby?

The canton of Zurich is excellently connected. The city of Zurich offers all the important shopping facilities (Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl and others), restaurants, pharmacies and doctors. Public transport is very reliable – by train you reach Winterthur in around 25 minutes and Zug in around 30 minutes.

Specific information about the surroundings of your room can be found in the respective listing.

Do I need health insurance?

Yes. In Switzerland, health insurance (Krankenversicherung) is mandatory for everyone resident in Switzerland. You must take out health insurance within 3 months of registering. Providers include Helsana, Swica, CSS, Sanitas and others.

As a new resident in Switzerland it is worth comparing premiums – for example on comparis.ch.