Looks ok

Does the building have a lift?

Thanks, Maria!  Yes, it has a lift.  I appreciate your advice, as looking for a place is so stressful!  I guess I would also just be glad to have it done with.

No problem. Nothing stops you from looking a bit more but at least you will have something stable. Do you have to pply for it or its sure that you will get it?

I applied and the owner wants to meet me before finalizing.  I'm told I can still back out even if I get it (maybe will have to pay some admin fees), but then my relocation agent says he won't help me after that.  I never signed an agreement with them since they are retained directly by my company, so I have to find out whether that is in fact a condition.

So its good news. Good luck :)

go for it

s

Hi - when I moved here in September my company also provided me with a relocation agency to help me find a flat.  I was told the same thing that if I backed out of a flat I was 'given' then the relocation agency would no longer assist me.  Having spoken to a few other ex pats who had similar arrangements with their company this seems to be quite common. 

The flat you describe seems pretty good, 50 - 55 sq m is a good size for one person and the area is pretty central too. 

Having said that if is only the first flat you have seen I would keep looking.  The market here is 'tight' but I think you are in a good position by having a relocation agency.  I am moving back to the UK in June and have recently had over 35 people come view my flat.  However the person who has been given it went through the exact same relocation agency I was with when I was given the flat.  So unfortunately it does seem that relocation agency have some sway with who gets a place and who doesn't.

Good luck in your search!

It's a fairly standard rent for the area and size.  Those charges are fairly high but not exhorbitant.  Does it have parking included?

I helped a non-speaking Scottish friend with some of her questions with the regie.  After living there for a few months, she asked for the stove to be replaced and some other repairs to be made. Surprisingly, the owner agreed although even the regie commented that the guy was less than generous with the repairs.

Just make certain you conduct an extremely thorough inspection and write down in detail every single flaw or problem you see, including cracks in bathroom cermaics and so on. 

You should also join the renters' organization ASLOCA and meet with them within 30 days of receiving your keys to see whether you might be entitled to a rent reduction.  No need to inform the regie or owner that you intend to do this, though.

Welcome to Geneva!

Arggghhh, I meant to write "bathroom ceramics" of course...

.. I read that as 'mermaids' and was pleased for a moment :) The part about 'cracks' raises other questions, though..

It's probably a bit too much but acceptable. Go for it - it sounds ok. When you meet the owner you can always "feel" what he would think about renovating the kitchen and bathroom...

Thanks, everyone!  It does not come with parking.  It's not the first flat I saw, but one of about 8.  It was definitely the best one I saw, but some of the others didn't even fit my criteria and were pretty awful.