Hi Murali, 

My first appartment was found through a relocation agency, also paid by the company. We chose the best of a poor list of appartments. I know they were paid a (huge) fee, but perhaps they also get a signing bonus (a percentage of the appartment found), as they constantly only showed us things at the top or even over our desired price range. Maybe your reggie is hoping for this if they process it for you? Have no idea though...

Turns out they did not act in our best interest legally either. When we wanted to move, our laywers told us parts of the contract were illegal and they overcharged us. Furthermore, they deliberately did not translate certain sections of our contract into English, so we never questioned it. They were friendly and responsive the whole time we worked with them. It wasn't until 1 year later that we found these things out. Bad luck for us. 

I am certain there are great agents out there (a friend of mine just found his appartment through one, and is extremely happy). Luck of the draw I guess.

I now rent directly from a lovely couple, no reggie. Couldn't be happier (though we have not left yet). There is never a reggie involved. We contacted the reggie only to rent a parking space in the building. If the contract is in French, it would be best for someone to look it over for you. Pay attention to the terms of the contract if you want to leave. Swiss contracts do trap you in, and it is normal to be locked in for a year at a time. Know how much notice you need to give. Also, they are required by law to give you paperwork telling you how much the previous tenant paid in rent. They can't increase it by a large amount unless there have been renovations. 

If you trust the agency, let them guide you (get feedback from other employees in the company that used them if you can). Otherwise, I really suggest Asloca. They are lawyers that specialises in rental appartments. I think you pay about CHF80 per year to be a member, then you will get appointments with advice for free. You only pay if you ask them to act on your behalf. I used them, and I was extremely happy (though I went twice as I didn't feel the first lawyer I spoke to had the right answer for us, and lucky I did, because the second guy noticed all the legal flaws). 

All I can say is, there are probably bad landlords out there, but there are also bad reggies. In my personal experience, renting directly with the landlord has been great for us. 

Best of luck!

Thank you very much Stephanie. Very informative. 

Murali

Hi Murali,

My company told me - either you can take the money and find an apt yourself or we can engage a relocation agency for. The money was 5000 USD. :) 5K for what??!! Finding an apt and translating the contract to English? These relocation agencies are such a joke.

I found an apt myself, evidently, renting right now through a regie - piece of cake, no hassle. Don't be afraid to get your place yourself. If you don't speak French - post it here, use google translator, or ask somebody in the street - you will always get a dencent translation in Geneva.

Good luck!

Please check your Inbox for a p.m.

R.

Yup you can do it all yourself .. No need for a regie or relocation agent.. But of course you need to know at least the basic procedures amd not fall for a scam..

My company hired an agent for me but I found my own place through word of mouth before the relocators even showed me anything.

However -- What I did do was to use the relocators to verify the paperwork and check things for me, after all they had already been paid so why not get them to do something.. They checked the contract and were present at the entry inspection, which was good, they've done it a thousand times and know what to look for. I also let them register me with swisscom and the electric conpany. 

As for regie - depends on the owner, if they are local you will probably deal direct, if not then they might hire a regie to looks after things locally.

I think this is the approach we are going to adopt. Thank you.

Murali

Don't forget there is also the Swiss Tenants Association (ASLOCA) whose role is to protect tenant rights in the event of difficulties, website: ASLOCA http://www.asloca.ch/asloca-gen%C3%A8ve

They were very helpful when a friend had difficulties with their owner and I think all tenants should be members.

Regards

Sam

----

Woodhouse Carpentry & Custom Furniture

www.wood-house.ch

Relocation companies that are members of the Swiss Association of Relocation Agents cannot perceive any kind of commission from real estate agents or landlords. This is SARA's code of conduct. Kind regards, Pierre Jeronimo, President of the Swiss Association of Relocation Agents.

Murali, if you are directly talking to the owner, 99.99% everything shoudl be fine. 

Also about relocation agencies helps for contract, 99.99% they will give you right advice. but yes they are doing business so will natually say that going through them is better which I would myself have done if I am not paying the amount from my pocket.. :)

Thank you. That is good to know.

Murali

Thank you. Just as an update. We did rent the apartment from the owner, who is very nice. The company helped with the forms and setting up electric and internet connections, and looking over the contract. We were lucky, and everything worked out well.

Thank you all for the help.

Murali