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As a newcomer (Expat, student, etc.) to Geneva, you need to find housing that suits you. That is to say, the accommodation must not only be within your budget, but it must also meet your criteria such as the neighborhood, the number of rooms, the atmosphere, etc. Questions start to arise. How many rooms are there in a 3 room apartment? What is the probability of being chosen for a given apartment? What does "Charges included" mean?
This post is for you who would like to find an apartment in a smart and efficient way.
Are you new to Geneva? This is THE must-read post before any search !
The "Must-Read" series will be presented to you, given its length, in 3 parts.
List of Things to Know
Click on one of the following items to see the details.
Must Read #1
Must Read #2
Must Read #3
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Rental type
In Geneva, there are 3 types of rentals, namely :
Standard rental This is the most common type of rental in Geneva. You sign the lease contract with the owner via the management company. The standard rental is adapted for those who want to stay in Geneva for more than one year.
Subletting This type of rental is particularly interesting for those who are looking for a private apartment for a short period (1 to 6 months). The current tenant must obtain authorization to sublet from the management or the owner. The responsibility for any material damage caused by the subtenant remains with the current tenant.
Flat share This is the type of rental recommended for those who would like to live with other people for social, economic, etc. reasons. The duration of the rental is flexible depending on the need. The room is often furnished and, therefore, this option is particularly interesting for students.
Number of rooms
The relationship between the number of rooms (pièce in French) and the number of bedrooms varies by canton.
In Geneva
1 room (Studio) = 1 bedroom
2 rooms = 1 bedroom, 1 living room
3 rooms = 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 hall
4 rooms = 2 bedrooms, 1 living room
5 rooms = 3 bedrooms, 1 living room
Please note that this is not an absolute rule. Indeed, a 4 room apartment can also have a hall or a dining room.
The half room represents, by definition, a surface between 6 and 9 m2. This area can be translated by various names such as dining room, hall, etc.
Rent and utilities
The rent of an apartment is composed as follows :
Gross rent = Net rent + Utilities
The net rent is the amount that will be used to calculate the amount of the rent guarantee. The utilities are the installments for heating and hot water. The settlement will be done by the management and the surplus will be paid to you.
Rent negotiation
In Geneva, rent negotiation is generally not possible. It is not a common practice.
Minimum income requirement
In principle, your minimum income must correspond to 3 times the rent of the apartment.
Example for a rent of CHF 1'500/month
Your income must be at least CHF 4'500 (3x 1'500) per month
Of course, you would have better luck if you earn much more than the minimum required. This is a general rule and is only one of the conditions you must meet.
Profession
Some say that there are professions that the landlord prefers or does not prefer. For example, a lawyer is not a preferred profession because there is a higher risk of a rent dispute in the future.
As far as we know, this is just a rumor. We have not, to date, observed any discrimination in terms of the applicant's profession.
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