Usually its one month's rent. Anymore normally is part of a larger package which would include other moving services like setting up internet, water etc.

When I relocated to Geneva I paid a month's rent plus a 7% charge on top of it, that was back in 2010, perhaps now it's more expensive if even harder to find a place to rent

5000 CHF is enormous but frankly doesn't surprise me too much.  Since 2001, the rate of occupied apartments in Geneva has always been between 99.6% and 99.9%.  So you can expect many ruthless relocation agencies asking absurd sums and still getting desperate people willing to pay.

I keep hearing that rents are now (finally) starting to go down a bit after years of just going up and that there is more availability for apartments and houses.

Does anyone have more information about whether or not rents are indeed going down?

Thanks

Oded

Houses are definitely going down especially in areas (as Jen mentioned) like Corsier, Anieres, etc... Compared to 3-4 years ago, houses that aren't super modern or in great shape are sitting a long time on the market and finally getting rented for 20-50% less.

Larger flats over 5'000 a month, once again, that aren't in perfect condition, are getting negotiated down 10-30% from a few years ago.

Flats between 3 and 4000 can sometimes be negotiated down 5-10%

Only really over priced flats or in very poor condition under 2500 are being negotiated down a little (normally not more than 10%) - this is still the most competitive category and the only one where you can still see prices rise.

Yes, this makes sense.  There's always demand for flats around 1500-2000 CHF so these are the ones that aren't getting cheaper.

Finally, for those who have a good salary it is a good idea to rent something bigger.  A crappy 50-square-meter apartments with 2 parking spots will cost you 2000 CHF.  For 4000 CHF you can rent a house four times the size, with garden and place for 2 cars.

Well, I would say that if you're willing to throw 4000 CHF down the train per month in rental, you might as well consider buying. Unless you're here for a short term. Just my opinion.

Are you asking about moving services or renting prices?

The problem is that you aren't able to buy the same object you can afford to rent, because the monthly income you need to have would be twice as much.  Plus, you'd need to pay 20% of the house value upfront cash, that for a normal house is at least 300'000 CHF.

Hi, CHF 2400.- is a good price on todays market. I can help for that price and have always had a positive result within 6 weeks.

Charles

T: 078 601 40 90

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the posts - some really useful info in here. I have a question of my own that I don't think is quite answered. 

We're looking for an apartment to rent in Geneva and found one listed on a number of sites. We rang up the number and arranged to go see it. While viewing it, the person showing us around told us that he is actually a relocation agent, and that if we ended up going with the apartment, we woud have to pay him one month's rent for his efforts and that he would also take care of the process. Someone from the regie was there with him as well.

I'm not sure what we would be paying him for since we found the apartment online and did not ask for his help. I also don't see the complexity of the process requiring us to have him do anything for us. Are we obligated to go through him and pay this fee equivalent to one month's rent if we want that apartment? I can understand if he had helped us find it and looked around for us, but....just not sure what we would be paying him for! 

Thanks in  advance for all the input and advice.

Philip