I do not think it is possible to rent a flat short term (3 months) through a regie (real estate agent).  Also very difficult to rent privately for such a short period there are too many people looking to rent long term

One possibility is to look at the 'residences' the prices are not too bad (appears to be 980 for a month.  If you can find someone to share with then a studio is 1010 per person plus 1.50 per day for internet access 

  http://www.asso-etud.unige.ch/cite-uni/docPDF/Tarif%20HP%2005.2011.pdf

Alternatively google 'residences Geneva Switzerland'

Coming a week early will be depressing as you might not find accomodation and you will be spending money while looking for accomodation

You need to act quickly as have nop idea how quickly these places get booked up. Payment I think can be made by credit card

Hi Jamie,

For short period the best is sharing a flat.

You can screen the add on glocals, anibis, etc... If by any chance you are an active member of Couchsurfing.org, you can also find adds under the group of Geneva - "share appartment". There are also tips ...

Just to let you know. Deposits are mandatory with real estate agency. Private ask sometimes for deposits but there is nothing legal in this. It is a way to be sure that you do not destroy the appartment or you pay, but remember that there is no rules and you can also impose yours.

Cheers

Thanks both for your advice! but if I were to get a private flat on my own through contacting online postings (not thorugh an agency) and if they ask for a deposit.. would you say it can be risky to pay without even seeing the place or meeting the person? (again hearing about the scams... and if I were to book now, I can only do it through phone/Internet as I can't fly to Geneva..)

Jamie - look at the comments I have just put on the 'scam rental' thread.  Give me the address of the person and I can check in the Geneva phone book. You can search on google yourself. Or get whoever you are doing the internship with to check it out.

Personally I would never pay a deposit for a flat I had not seen and would strongly recomend you try the residences first for temporary accomodation.  

You could however sign an agreement on the basis that you pay the deposit on arrival and after having seen the appartment. If they do mnot agree that i would suggest that you forget it.

Also your chances of getting your deposiit back if you are leaving Switzerland for good are considerably reduced. How long extra are you willing to stay in order to try and get the deposit back which can be withheld for a variety of reasons.

I am waiting for another glocals member to come on site and say that I am wrong, that they have rented this way without any problems.

Jamie, 

From my experience:

1. Most private folks will ask you for a deposit indeed.

2. Most private folks who rent out their apartments are not scammers, and they won't try to keep your deposit unless there's a real issue. Of course you can fall on a general bad owner who will play games with your money, but that's not the norm. 

3. There is an issue of scammers. Most operate from abroad and they don't have any apartment in GVA. They lure you into wiring them a deposit via Western Union (or other non Swiss bank inistitutions). If you send a deposit from abroad to a guy you have not met, do it ONLY if it's to a Swiss bank account that can be traced back to its holder. You'll lower your chances of being scammed that way. 

Nir

Hey Jamie, 

I was in your same position when I arrived, and the best advice I could give would be not to sign anything until you have seen it for yourself.

I would get to know some of your fellow interns before you arrive and arrange to sleep over one of their places for a few nights while you look around. I know GVA has a bad reputation for housing, but I was able to find 3 different places for less than 600 (with one month deposit) within a few days of arriving. 

There are more scams for apartments running around in this city than anyplace else I've visited or lived. Just be very wary. 

Thanks all for the tips! This is all hugely helpful :)