Renting a family apartment: The complete checklist
When renting a family apartment, its size, floor plan, location, safety and costs must suit the family’s everyday life over the long term. This checklist guides families in Switzerland from the initial planning and viewing to the application, tenancy agreement and apartment handover.
Briefly explained
A good family apartment is not automatically the largest apartment. The decisive factors are a practical floor plan, sufficient storage, safe rooms, short journeys, a family-friendly environment and affordable long-term costs. Before signing, families should check the rent, service charges, rental deposit, termination provisions, house rules and insurance requirements. When moving in, all existing defects should be fully recorded and photographed.
Before the apartment search: Define the family’s requirements
Before comparing the first listings, the family should define its actual requirements. This makes it easier to exclude unsuitable apartments and organise viewings more effectively.
Do not only consider the current situation. Children grow older, childcare arrangements change and an additional play area may later become a study or home-office space. The apartment should therefore remain suitable for the family’s everyday life for several years where possible.
Essential requirements
Maximum rent, minimum number of rooms, safe location, accessible school and any necessary accessibility features.
Important preferences
Lift, balcony, private washing machine, additional toilet, pushchair storage or a short commute.
Optional advantages
New-build property, a particular view, preferred flooring or one specific neighbourhood.
Questions before starting the search
- How many people will move into the apartment?
- How many separately usable rooms are required?
- Will anyone regularly work from home?
- How much storage is needed for pushchairs, bicycles, toys and sports equipment?
- Must the apartment be accessible without steps or by lift?
- Which schools and childcare services need to be accessible?
- How long is the family likely to remain in the apartment?
Calculate the budget and actual total costs
When comparing apartments, it is not enough to consider only the net rent. Families should calculate all recurring and one-off costs.
| Type of cost | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Net rent | Monthly price for the use of the apartment. | Compare it with the household budget available over the long term. |
| Service charges | Heating, hot water, caretaker services or other agreed services. | Check whether they are charged as advance payments or a fixed amount and which items are included. |
| Individual costs | Electricity, internet, television, waste fees and insurance. | Do not automatically assume that these are included in the service charges. |
| Mobility | Public transport passes, car, parking, longer commute or school transport. | Compare the costs associated with the location with any saving in rent. |
| Childcare | Nursery, after-school care, school meal services or childminders. | Check availability and costs at the new place of residence. |
| One-off costs | Rental deposit, moving expenses, cleaning, furniture and minor adjustments. | Reserve sufficient liquidity for moving in. |
Service charges must be specifically agreed in the tenancy agreement. The agreement should clearly state which services are payable in addition to the net rent and whether they are charged as advance payments or as a fixed amount.
Advance payments or fixed amount?
- Advance payments: The tenant pays monthly amounts in advance. The actual costs are settled in a subsequent statement.
- Fixed amount: A fixed charge is agreed. Unlike advance payments, it is generally not followed by an annual settlement based on the actual costs.
Check the location, schools, childcare and family life
The location of a family apartment affects everyday life every day. Short and safe journeys save time and make it easier for children to become more independent as they grow older.
The nearest school is not necessarily the school assigned to the address. Families should therefore check school allocation and available childcare services directly with the municipality or the responsible school authority.
Important points in the surrounding area
- School, kindergarten and childcare
- School meal services, after-school care or childminders
- Playgrounds, green areas and leisure facilities
- Food shops and pharmacy
- Paediatrician, general practitioner and medical care
- Bus, tram or train connections
- Commutes for both parents
- Traffic, lighting and safe road crossings
- Noise from roads, railway lines, restaurants or businesses
Walk important routes where possible. A short distance on a map may be unsuitable because of heavy traffic, missing pavements, steep roads or difficult crossings.
Checklist for the apartment viewing
During a viewing, families should not only focus on the furnishings or their first overall impression. The decisive question is whether the apartment works in everyday use.
| Area | What should be checked | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Floor plan | Rooms accessed through other rooms, layout, doors, furnishing space and private areas. | A practical floor plan may be more important than the total living area. |
| Rooms | Size, light, electrical sockets, windows, heating and furnishing options. | Children’s rooms must accommodate a bed, wardrobe and study area. |
| Kitchen | Work surfaces, storage, appliances, child safety and space for a dining table. | The kitchen is used particularly intensively in everyday family life. |
| Bathroom and toilet | Ventilation, damp, storage, condition and number of bathrooms or toilets. | An additional toilet can make everyday life easier for larger families. |
| Storage | Built-in cupboards, storage room, cellar, attic and other storage areas. | Pushchairs, toys and sports equipment require considerable space. |
| Laundry | Private washing machine, laundry schedule, drying room and accessibility. | Families with children regularly have large amounts of laundry. |
| Access | Lift, stairs, entrance, pushchair storage and bicycle storage. | Several floors without a lift can be difficult in everyday life. |
| Outdoor area | Balcony, garden, courtyard, playground, shade and safe access. | Usable outdoor areas improve quality of life. |
| Building condition | Damp, signs of mould, smells, windows, floors and visible damage. | Existing problems may affect health and living comfort. |
| Noise | Roads, railway lines, neighbours, lift, laundry room, businesses and construction sites. | Noise affects sleep, relaxation and everyday family life. |
Practical questions for the property manager
1. Which service charges are included in the agreement?
2. Are the service charges collected as advance payments or a fixed amount?
3. How is the use of the laundry room organised?
4. Is there storage for pushchairs and bicycles?
5. Which rooms belong exclusively to the apartment?
6. Are renovations or construction works planned?
7. Are pets permitted or subject to approval?
8. Which quiet hours apply under the house rules?
9. Is a parking space available to rent separately?
10. From when is the apartment available?
11. What rental deposit is required?
12. Which documents are required for the application?Check safety for children
Where young children are involved, possible hazards inside the apartment, throughout the building and in the surrounding area must be checked particularly carefully.
Inside the apartment
Check windows, balcony doors, electrical sockets, glass doors, the kitchen, stairs and possible climbing aids.
Inside the building
Check the stairwell, lift, cellar, laundry room, underground car park and building entrance.
In the surrounding area
Assess road traffic, car park exits, lighting, routes to school and playgrounds.
For balconies, the height and design of the railing and possible climbing aids are important. Where necessary, ask before signing the agreement whether child-safety devices may be installed on windows, doors or stairs.
Prepare the application dossier for the family apartment
For highly sought-after apartments, a complete and clearly organised dossier is particularly important. The documents should be prepared before the viewing and then adapted to the particular apartment.
Typical application documents
- a fully completed application form,
- recent debt enforcement register extracts for the future contractual parties,
- the requested proof of income or employment,
- contact details of reference contacts who have been informed in advance,
- a short cover letter adapted to the apartment.
The number of people moving into the apartment should be stated correctly. Detailed information about the children’s health, school performance, personalities or private habits is not required for an ordinary rental application.
Particularly sensitive documents should only be submitted once the advertiser and submission method have been verified. Numerous unstructured attachments can often be avoided by combining the required documents in one clearly named PDF.
Review the tenancy agreement carefully
A tenancy agreement should not be signed under time pressure. Families should check whether the written provisions correspond with the listing, the statements made during the viewing and their own expectations.
| Contractual point | What should be checked |
|---|---|
| Rental property | Apartment, cellar, attic, parking space, garden area and any other rooms included in the tenancy. |
| Contractual parties | Names of the people entering into the tenancy agreement and assuming responsibility. |
| Start of tenancy | Date on which the agreement takes effect and date of the key handover. |
| Rent | Net rent, service charges, parking and any other amounts payable separately. |
| Service charges | Listed items and whether they are charged as advance payments or a fixed amount. |
| Rental deposit | Amount, type of security, bank account and payment date. |
| Termination | Notice period, termination dates and special contractual provisions. |
| Minimum term | Any minimum tenancy period or fixed-term tenancy. |
| Pets | Permission, approval requirements or restrictions under the agreement and house rules. |
| House rules | Quiet hours, laundry facilities, shared areas, pushchairs and bicycles. |
| Alterations | Rules covering painting, drilling, safety devices and other adjustments. |
| Insurance | Required personal liability insurance or other evidence. |
Rental deposit and insurance
Rental deposit
For residential property, a rental deposit provided in cash or securities may not exceed three months’ rent. Where the security is provided in cash or securities, it must generally be deposited with a bank in an account or custody account held in the tenant’s name.
Families should not transfer the deposit to an ordinary private account belonging to the landlord. Check the account documents and retain confirmation of the payment.
Rental deposit insurance is sometimes offered as an alternative. The complete deposit amount is not blocked, but the tenant generally pays a recurring premium that is normally not refunded.
Personal liability insurance
Personal liability insurance is generally voluntary in Switzerland. However, many landlords require it before the tenancy agreement is signed or before the tenancy begins. Depending on the policy, it may cover damage that household members unintentionally cause to third parties or to the rental property.
Check the insured amount, deductible, insured persons and cover for damage caused by tenants. Not every type of damage and not all normal wear and tear are automatically insured.
What does “family home” mean under tenancy law?
The tenancy-law concept of the family home is not the same as a generally family-friendly apartment. It refers to the shared home occupied by married spouses or registered partners.
These rules protect the household’s shared centre of life. They do not depend on whether children live in the household or how many rooms the apartment has.
Unmarried couples should check particularly carefully who is listed as a contractual party and which rights and obligations arise as a result.
Apartment handover and condition report
During the apartment handover, the property should be checked room by room. Existing damage and wear should be described as precisely as possible in the report, even if they do not initially interfere with the use of the apartment.
Record the following in the handover report
- Condition of walls, ceilings, floors and doors
- Scratches, stains, holes and other damage
- Windows, shutters, blinds and locks
- Kitchen appliances and existing accessories
- Fittings, sanitary facilities and visible damp
- Cellar, attic, balcony and other ancillary rooms
- Number and type of keys handed over
- Meter readings where recorded during the handover
- Agreed repairs and their deadlines
Photograph noticeable areas using both an overview and a detailed image. Keep the report, photographs, emails and other confirmations together.
Where a return report was prepared when the previous tenant moved out, the new tenant may request to inspect it during the handover.
Defects discovered after moving in
Not all defects are visible during the handover. Damage discovered later should be reported immediately in writing and documented with photographs. Observe any deadlines stated in the tenancy agreement or handover report.
Template for reporting defects after moving in
Subject: Addition to the handover report – apartment at [address]
Dear Sir or Madam,
Following the apartment handover on [date], we identified the
following pre-existing defects:
– [precise description and location]
– [precise description and location]
– [precise description and location]
The corresponding photographs are attached. Please confirm that
these points will be added to the handover report and let us know
whether any repairs are planned.
Kind regards,
[Name]
[Telephone number]
[Email address]Step by step to the right family apartment
- Define the family’s requirements and long-term space needs.
- Calculate the maximum rent and complete housing budget.
- Separate essential requirements from optional preferences.
- Check schools, childcare, commutes and public transport connections.
- Expand the search area to suitable neighbourhoods and neighbouring municipalities.
- Prepare application documents and debt enforcement register extracts.
- View the apartment and surrounding area using a fixed checklist.
- Check safety, storage, laundry facilities, lift and ancillary rooms.
- Submit the application completely and promptly.
- Review the tenancy agreement, service charges, deposit and house rules.
- Only terminate the current apartment once the new agreement is binding.
- Document and photograph the apartment completely during the handover.
- Report defects discovered later immediately in writing.
Examples from everyday family life
Example 1: Large apartment without storage
A family of four views a spacious four-room apartment. However, there is no cellar, no pushchair storage and hardly any built-in cupboards. Despite the generous living area, there is no suitable space for toys, bicycles and seasonal items.
Example 2: A slightly smaller apartment in a better location
A second apartment is smaller but has a practical floor plan, a lift, a cellar and a safe route to school and childcare. The family saves time every day and does not need a second car. Overall, this apartment may suit the family’s everyday life better and cost less.
Complete checklist: Renting a family apartment
Search and budget
Location and viewing
Application and tenancy agreement
Deposit and moving in
Frequently asked questions about renting a family apartment
Summary
Families renting an apartment in Switzerland should not base their decision solely on the number of rooms and the rent. Important factors include a practical floor plan, sufficient storage, safe rooms, short journeys to school and childcare and affordable long-term costs. Before signing, families should check the rent, service charges, rental deposit, termination provisions, house rules, pet rules and insurance requirements. The current apartment should only be terminated once the new tenancy agreement has been concluded on a binding basis. During the apartment handover, all existing damage should be precisely recorded and photographed.