Why should I search for properties on UrbanHome?
UrbanHome combines a free property search with listings for rental apartments, properties for sale, houses, shared rooms, parking spaces and other property types throughout Switzerland. Particularly interesting are the numerous private listings from tenants looking for a replacement tenant, as well as cooperative apartments and homes rented directly by the City of Zurich. Users can filter listings by location, property type, number of rooms and price, create a property alert and contact the relevant providers directly.
Briefly explained
UrbanHome is a publicly accessible property platform for rental and purchase properties. The search can be filtered by property type, minimum number of rooms, maximum price and location and can be saved as a property alert. One particular advantage is the diversity of providers: UrbanHome contains numerous private listings from people looking for a replacement tenant, listings from housing cooperatives and apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich. These are complemented by listings from property management companies, estate agents and private property owners. Before making a binding commitment, interested parties should carefully check the price, property, provider, allocation conditions, contractual documents and payment method.
Contents
What is UrbanHome?
UrbanHome is a Swiss property platform on which properties can be searched for and advertised. The platform is aimed at both property seekers and private and professional providers.
UrbanHome is suitable for:
- people looking for a rental apartment,
- prospective buyers of apartments and houses,
- families, couples and individuals,
- people looking for a room in a shared apartment,
- people who need a parking space or garage,
- businesses looking for office, commercial or storage space,
- private individuals looking for a replacement tenant,
- housing cooperatives,
- cities and public-sector landlords,
- property management companies and estate agents.
Users can access different property types and listings from various categories of providers through a single search interface. Private replacement-tenant listings, cooperative apartments, municipal housing and conventional property-management listings therefore do not necessarily have to be searched for on separate platforms.
Search free of charge
The public property and apartment search can be used without paid access. Users can browse rental and purchase properties, apply filters, open individual listings and contact the relevant providers.
The main benefits of UrbanHome
1. Free property search
The basic rental and purchase search is publicly accessible. Users do not need to purchase a paid property subscription to browse the published listings.
2. Rental and purchase properties
UrbanHome provides separate search options for rental and purchase properties. Rental apartments, rental houses, owner-occupied apartments and houses for sale can therefore be compared directly.
3. Different property types
In addition to apartments and houses, users can search for shared rooms, parking spaces, garages, offices, commercial premises and storage properties.
4. Simple search filters
Property type, minimum number of rooms, maximum price and location can be set as basic search criteria.
5. Property alerts by email
A suitable search can be saved. New listings can then be followed without having to enter the search criteria again each time.
6. Many private replacement-tenant listings
Many private individuals use UrbanHome when they are leaving their rental apartment and are looking for a suitable replacement tenant. This also makes apartments visible that are being advertised directly by the current tenant.
7. Cooperative apartments
Apartments from housing cooperatives are also published on UrbanHome. Such listings may be particularly attractive because of their long-term rental models and possible cost-based rents.
8. Apartments from the City of Zurich
UrbanHome also includes apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich. In addition to private and commercial listings, users can therefore find municipal rental apartments.
9. Professional providers
Property management companies, estate agents and other professional market participants can publish their properties and be visible through their own provider profiles.
10. Direct contact
Interested parties can contact the relevant provider through the contact form and, where provided, the telephone number shown in the listing.
11. Swiss property guides
UrbanHome complements its listings with information about renting, buying, finance, moving, living, family matters and current developments in the Swiss property market.
12. Different search channels in one place
Private replacement-tenant listings, cooperative apartments, municipal housing and listings from professional property management companies can all be considered together.
Benefits and the user’s own checks
| UrbanHome provides | Users should additionally check |
|---|---|
| Public rental and purchase search | Whether the specific property is still available. |
| Filters by location, property type, number of rooms and price | The complete housing costs and long-term affordability. |
| Private replacement-tenant listings | Who decides on the tenancy and who issues the tenancy agreement. |
| Cooperative apartments | Minimum occupancy, cooperative shares, membership and other requirements. |
| City of Zurich apartments | Occupancy rules, income limits and application requirements. |
| Listing information and photographs | Whether they correspond to the actual property at the viewing. |
| Contact form and telephone number | The identity and role of the person making contact. |
| Property alerts for new listings | Whether the selected search criteria are sufficiently broad. |
Replacement-tenant listings, cooperative apartments and City of Zurich apartments
UrbanHome is distinguished not only by its different property types, but also by the variety of people and organisations publishing listings. In addition to listings from property management companies and estate agents, users can find numerous apartments advertised by private replacement tenants, housing cooperatives or directly by the City of Zurich.
Private individuals looking for a replacement tenant
Many private listings come from tenants who wish to leave their apartment before the ordinary termination date or as part of a planned move. They are therefore looking for a suitable person who could take over the apartment.
Such replacement-tenant listings can be attractive because:
- property seekers may learn about an available apartment at an early stage,
- direct contact with the current tenant is possible,
- questions about everyday life in the apartment can be answered first-hand,
- information about neighbours, noise and laundry facilities may be available,
- furniture or other items may sometimes be taken over,
- apartments owned by smaller private landlords may also become visible.
What should be checked in a replacement-tenant listing?
- Has the property management company or owner been informed about the search for a replacement tenant?
- Who decides which applicant is selected?
- Will the rent and contractual conditions remain unchanged?
- From which date can the apartment be taken over?
- Is taking over furniture voluntary?
- Who conducts the viewing?
- To whom should the application documents be sent?
- Who issues the final tenancy agreement?
Do not accept a furniture purchase obligation prematurely
Some current tenants wish to sell furniture, curtains, lights or other items. Such a purchase should be clearly separated from the actual tenancy agreement. Property seekers should check in particular:
- whether the purchase is voluntary,
- the condition of the items,
- whether the requested price is reasonable,
- whether any fixtures were approved by the property management company,
- who is responsible for removing them later.
Cooperative apartments on UrbanHome
UrbanHome also publishes listings from housing cooperatives. Cooperative apartments may differ from ordinary private rental apartments because they are often intended for long-term occupation and may be managed according to the principle of cost-based rent.
Depending on the cooperative, the following conditions may apply:
- minimum occupancy based on the number of people and rooms,
- an obligation to purchase cooperative shares,
- membership of the cooperative,
- income or asset limits for subsidised apartments,
- residence or workplace requirements,
- rules concerning communal use,
- a duty to report changes in the household,
- a move to another apartment in the event of substantial underoccupancy.
The conditions vary between cooperatives. Interested parties should therefore read the listing, the letting regulations and the information concerning cooperative shares in full.
What are cooperative shares?
Many housing cooperatives require new members to purchase cooperative shares. The required amount may vary according to the cooperative and the apartment. Cooperative shares must be distinguished from the ordinary rent and any rental deposit.
The following points should be clarified before applying:
- How much cooperative share capital is required?
- When must the amount be paid?
- Does the cooperative pay interest on the share capital?
- When is the share capital repaid after moving out?
- Is support available for financing the cooperative shares?
Apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich
UrbanHome also contains apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich. Such listings are attractive to people who are specifically looking for municipal housing and wish to consider additional rental opportunities alongside private property management companies and cooperatives.
Depending on the listing, City of Zurich apartments may be subject to special requirements:
- a specific minimum occupancy,
- requirements relating to the number of household members,
- income and asset limits for subsidised apartments,
- residence or permit requirements,
- special conditions for family apartments,
- a duty to report subsequent changes in the household.
For many municipal apartments in Zurich, the minimum number of occupants is generally based on the number of rooms minus one. A 4.5-room apartment may therefore require at least three occupants. The conditions stated in the specific listing are always decisive.
Comparison of the different listing types
| Listing type | Possible benefit | What should be checked? |
|---|---|---|
| Private replacement-tenant listing | Direct contact with the current tenant and early access to apartments that are becoming available. | Property management company, rent, contractual conditions and voluntary furniture purchase. |
| Cooperative apartment | Long-term housing and, in some cases, rents based on actual costs. | Occupancy, membership, cooperative shares, income and letting regulations. |
| City of Zurich apartment | Direct letting by the City and access to municipal housing. | Minimum occupancy, income, assets and further application requirements. |
| Professional property management company | Standardised processes, clear responsibilities and potentially several available properties. | Application process, complete costs and contractual conditions. |
| Private property owner | Direct contact and potentially an individual letting process. | Identity, authorisation, contract and rental deposit account. |
Which properties can be searched for on UrbanHome?
UrbanHome is not limited to conventional rental apartments. The search includes different property types and allows users to search both rental and purchase listings.
| Property type | Typical use | What should be checked? |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | Rental apartment or owner-occupied apartment. | Number of rooms, living area, service charges, floor, lift and condition. |
| House | Detached house, terraced house or other type of house. | Land, maintenance, heating, running costs and renovation requirements. |
| Shared room | Room in a shared apartment. | Flatmates, subletting agreement, service charges and shared rooms. |
| Parking space or garage | Outdoor parking space, underground parking space or separate garage. | Access, dimensions, termination conditions and additional fees. |
| Office | Workspace, practice or office premises. | Permitted use, customer access, connections and commercial lease. |
| Commercial property | Shop, restaurant, studio or other business premises. | Permits, fit-out, ventilation, noise protection and permitted use. |
| Storage property | Storage space for private or business use. | Access, moisture, security, load-bearing capacity and permitted stored goods. |
| Land | Building land or other plots. | Building zone, infrastructure, easements and development possibilities. |
The broad selection is useful when several housing options are possible. Someone who cannot find a suitable apartment can, for example, simultaneously consider a house in a neighbouring municipality, a cooperative listing or a private replacement-tenant listing.
Using search filters effectively
A good property search is neither too narrow nor too broad. Too many restrictions may exclude suitable listings, while too few criteria can produce a long list of unsuitable properties.
Choose the property type
First decide whether you are looking for an apartment, house, shared room, parking space or commercial property. Users who are flexible can create several separate search variations.
Define the minimum number of rooms
Define not only the preferred size but also the minimum size that is genuinely necessary. A well-designed 3.5-room apartment may be more suitable than a poorly arranged 4-room apartment.
Set a realistic maximum price
In addition to the advertised rent or purchase price, consider:
- service charges,
- electricity and internet,
- parking space or garage,
- commuting and school journeys,
- childcare costs,
- moving costs and the rental deposit,
- possible cooperative shares,
- for property ownership, the mortgage, maintenance and future renovations.
Expand the search area sensibly
Do not automatically limit the search to a single municipality. Neighbouring locations with direct rail, tram or bus connections may offer a wider selection or better value for money.
Use several search profiles
- preferred location with a strict price limit,
- larger search area with the preferred room count,
- private replacement-tenant listings in the target region,
- cooperative apartments with suitable minimum occupancy,
- municipal apartments in Zurich,
- smaller apartment in a better location,
- larger apartment in a neighbouring municipality,
- rental and purchase options where the decision remains open.
Respond faster with an UrbanHome property alert
In competitive rental markets, response time can be important. A property alert allows users to save their search criteria and receive new listings by email.
Benefits of a property alert
- The search criteria do not have to be entered again every day.
- New listings become visible more quickly.
- Several regions can be monitored separately.
- Interested parties can make contact earlier.
- Private replacement-tenant listings can be discovered promptly.
- Cooperative and municipal apartments can be monitored alongside other listings.
- Market prices and availability can be compared over a longer period.
Combine several property alerts
| Property alert | Possible purpose |
|---|---|
| Preferred municipality | Monitor all suitable apartments in the preferred location. |
| Neighbouring municipalities | Obtain a wider selection along good transport connections. |
| Limited budget | Display only financially affordable apartments. |
| Larger apartment | Monitor family apartments with more rooms. |
| Alternative property type | Monitor apartments and houses separately. |
Why use UrbanHome when searching for a rental apartment?
Finding a rental apartment often requires a combination of a broad search, a realistic budget and a prompt application. UrbanHome supports these steps through different provider categories, search filters, property alerts and direct contact options.
Additional opportunities through replacement-tenant listings
Private replacement-tenant listings can make apartments visible before or while they are being reallocated by the responsible property management company. The current tenant can often provide practical information about the apartment and building.
Include cooperative and municipal apartments
Users who only search conventional property-management listings may overlook other rental models. Cooperative apartments and apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich can broaden the available selection.
Compare rental listings systematically
- net rent and service charges,
- number of rooms and living area,
- floor plan and furnishing options,
- floor and lift,
- communal laundry or private washing machine and dryer,
- cellar, storage room and bicycle room,
- balcony, garden or communal areas,
- move-in date and minimum tenancy period,
- minimum occupancy and other letting conditions,
- parking costs,
- commuting distance and public transport.
Prepare the application early
- completed application form,
- current debt enforcement register extract,
- requested proof of income or employment,
- contact details for possible references,
- a short and factual covering letter,
- for cooperatives, information about household size and occupancy,
- other property-specific documents requested in the listing.
Do not send all personal documents in advance to every unknown contact person. Only submit the information required for the specific stage of the application process.
Why use UrbanHome when searching for residential property to buy?
Prospective buyers can use UrbanHome to search for owner-occupied apartments, houses and other purchase properties by region, property type, number of rooms and price. The listings are suitable for an initial market overview and for comparing current offers.
Understand the market and asking prices
- the number of comparable properties,
- price differences between regions,
- differences in condition and fittings,
- how long properties remain advertised,
- how frequently new listings are added,
- the available selection in neighbouring municipalities.
Consider more than the purchase price
- equity,
- mortgage and affordability,
- notarial and land-register costs,
- fees that vary between cantons,
- ongoing maintenance,
- the renovation fund for condominium ownership,
- renovations to the building envelope, roof or heating system,
- insurance and taxes,
- moving and furnishing costs.
Treat a purchase listing as a starting point
A listing is not a complete technical or legal property assessment. Before purchasing, the land-register extract, easements, building rights, building condition, minutes of the condominium owners’ association, renovation fund and financing should be checked as appropriate.
More than listings: Swiss property knowledge
A property platform is particularly useful when it not only displays listings but also supports the decision-making process. The UrbanHome advisor covers topics including:
- property searches and rental applications,
- tenancy agreements and rental deposits,
- replacement tenants and termination outside the ordinary notice period,
- service charges and rent increases,
- cooperative housing,
- family-friendly housing choices,
- property purchases and financing,
- renovation and home ownership,
- moving and address changes,
- current developments in the Swiss property market.
These articles help users assess listings more accurately. With a cooperative apartment, for example, the rent is not the only consideration: cooperative shares and occupancy rules must also be taken into account. With a private replacement-tenant listing, users must clarify who issues the tenancy agreement and whether purchasing furniture is genuinely voluntary.
Searching for property safely
False, copied or fraudulently used listings can also appear on established platforms. Users should check every specific listing, regardless of whether it was published by a private individual or a professional provider.
Typical warning signs
- The price is significantly below comparable listings.
- A viewing is allegedly impossible.
- The keys are supposedly sent after an advance payment.
- The provider applies strong time pressure.
- The deposit must be transferred before the contract is checked.
- Unusual payment methods are requested.
- Photographs or descriptions originate from other listings.
- The address, name and contact information do not match.
- The contract is incomplete or contradictory.
- Highly sensitive information is requested before the viewing.
Additional checks for private replacement-tenant listings
- Confirm the responsible property management company.
- Do not pay rent to the current tenant.
- Only deposit the rental security in accordance with the new tenancy agreement.
- Keep the furniture purchase separate from the tenancy agreement.
- Do not pay for alleged preferential treatment in the letting process.
Check before making a payment
- View the property in person where possible.
- Clarify the identity and role of the provider.
- Compare the address and property information.
- Read the tenancy or purchase agreement in full.
- Do not use unusual payment methods.
- Only deposit the rental security correctly and transparently.
- Contact the property management company separately if there are any doubts.
What UrbanHome cannot replace
UrbanHome is a search and publication platform. Even a comprehensive platform cannot carry out certain checks and decisions on behalf of its users.
| The platform supports | It does not replace |
|---|---|
| Finding property listings | A personal viewing of the property. |
| Comparing different types of providers | Checking the specific allocation conditions. |
| Contact with private replacement tenants | The property management company’s decision on the tenancy. |
| Cooperative and municipal apartments | A guarantee that the application meets the requirements. |
| Comparing asking prices | A professional property valuation. |
| Contacting providers | Checking their identity and authority to act. |
| General property guides | Individual legal, tax or financial advice. |
| Property alerts and notifications | A guarantee of a successful application. |
Practical examples of searching on UrbanHome
Example 1: Private replacement tenant
A tenant publishes her apartment on UrbanHome because she wants to move before the ordinary termination date. Interested parties receive information about the apartment directly from her, but submit their application to the responsible property management company.
Example 2: Cooperative apartment
A family finds an affordable 4.5-room apartment belonging to a housing cooperative. Before applying, it checks the minimum occupancy, the required cooperative shares and the rules that apply if the household changes later.
Example 3: City of Zurich apartment
A three-person household discovers an apartment rented directly by the City of Zurich. The family checks the listing to determine whether it meets the minimum occupancy and all other application requirements.
Example 4: Rental apartment in the surrounding region
A person is looking for a 2.5- to 3.5-room apartment. Instead of searching only within the city, they create several property alerts for well-connected neighbouring municipalities.
Example 5: Family apartment
A family is looking for at least four rooms. It compares the floor plan, storage, schools, childcare, occupancy conditions and complete transport costs.
Example 6: Owner-occupied apartment
A couple monitors purchase listings over several months and thereby identifies regional price differences and the influence of condition, micro-location and condominium ownership.
Step by step towards the right property on UrbanHome
- Decide whether you wish to rent, buy or consider both options.
- Calculate the complete housing or purchase budget.
- Separate essential criteria from optional preferences.
- Define the property type, minimum number of rooms, maximum price and location.
- Include neighbouring municipalities and alternative regions.
- Consider private replacement-tenant listings.
- Check cooperative and municipal apartments.
- Create several search profiles for different priorities.
- Save suitable searches as property alerts.
- Prepare the application file for rental apartments.
- Check occupancy and cooperative shares for cooperative apartments.
- Read all application requirements for municipal apartments.
- Contact providers directly with specific questions.
- View the property in person and document its condition.
- Check the identity, contract and payment method.
- Only make a binding commitment or payment after completing all checks.
Checklist: Searching for properties on UrbanHome
Budget and search profile
UrbanHome search
Checking a replacement-tenant listing
Cooperative or municipal apartment
Security and decision
Frequently asked questions about searching for properties on UrbanHome
Summary
UrbanHome provides a free and publicly accessible search for rental and purchase properties in Switzerland. A particular advantage is the diversity of listings: in addition to listings from professional property management companies and estate agents, there are numerous private listings from people looking for a replacement tenant, listings from housing cooperatives and apartments rented directly by the City of Zurich. Users can therefore discover apartments that are not offered exclusively through large conventional property management companies. The search can be filtered by property type, minimum number of rooms, maximum price and location and can be saved as a property alert. Contact forms, telephone numbers and the Swiss property advisor support the further decision-making process. Listing information, providers, occupancy rules, contractual conditions and payment methods should nevertheless always be checked independently.