Housing for students | VSS UNES USU

1. Introduction (+ good to know) & summary survey

It is becoming increasingly difficult for students to find an affordable apartment or a room in a shared flat. This is more pronounced in certain cities than in others. The VSS (Association of Swiss Student Bodies) and the SoKo (Social Commission) are concerned about the housing situation for students. For this reason, the current situation was statistically surveyed. The results are briefly summarized below. The exact data can also be viewed in the linked PDF document. This website is also intended to provide help in the search for accommodation, with an overview of the various platforms in Swiss cities. Tips and tricks for finding a shared flat and living in a shared flat are provided. Finally, the legal aspects of a tenancy are also discussed.

The SoKo is the social commission of the VSS. It takes up current social issues and works on them intensively.

Summary of the evaluation of the “Housing situation” survey

A total of 576 people took part in the survey.
In the survey, 66.84% were women, 31.42% men and 1.74% people who did not assign themselves to any gender.
70.31% of respondents were between 18 and 24 years old, followed by 22.57% between 25 and 29 years old, 5.03% between 30 and 35 years old and only 1.91% over 35 years old.
15.5% of respondents came from the canton of Vaud, 14.1% from Basel-Stadt, 10.2% from Zurich, 6.8% from Basel-Land, 6.1% from Bern and 5.2% from Lucerne. The cantons of Valais, St. Gallen, Geneva, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Thurgau, Ticino, Fribourg and Graubünden each accounted for between 4.5% and 1.2% of participants.
70.14% of respondents speak German and 29.86% speak French.
Most people with difficulties finding accommodation are still studying for a Bachelor’s degree and are in their 1st-3rd year of study

In the past two years, 54.17% of respondents have moved out. 32.81% have not moved out and 13% are looking for an apartment or room.
21.35% of respondents found it rather difficult and 14.24% did not find it difficult to find an apartment or room.
22% of respondents are looking for an apartment for between 1-2 months, 18.58% for 3 or more months and 13.72% for less than 1 month.
Most of the students used more than one method to search for an apartment.

41.1% of respondents earn less than CHF 1,000 and 39.2% earn between CHF 1,001 and CHF 2,000.
36.28% of respondents spend over 35% of their monthly income on rent. 33.33% of respondents are prepared to spend 26-35% of their monthly income on rent. 24.48% of respondents are prepared to spend 16-25% of their monthly income on rent.
Most people earn less than CHF 2,000, many of whom are prepared to spend up to CHF 800 (40%) of their income on rent.
66.15% of respondents answered yes to the question of whether they receive financial support, 31% no and 2.78% not yet.
58.85% of respondents stated that the support came from family members, 5.56% from scholarships and 3.99% from other sources.

The situation is worrying and it is important to us to improve it. For this reason, we are providing this study guide to help you find suitable accommodation. The following “Good to know” section provides information for the ideal start to life in a shared flat. Under “Caution! What do I need to bear in mind when entering into a tenancy?”, the rights and obligations in the tenancy are discussed. Finally, a list of platforms and addresses for various cities with universities in Switzerland is provided.

Good to know

A student room should contain everything students need to live and study comfortably. Here are some important features that should not be missing in a studio apartment:

A comfortable bed for a restful night’s sleep
Storage space for clothes and books
A desk (height-adjustable to a standing desk, depending on preference)
Fast Internet access and a desk chair for efficient working
Sufficient lighting for a pleasant learning environment
A fully equipped kitchen for students who like to cook
A pleasant learning and living atmosphere thanks to attractive furnishings

These features should help you feel comfortable in your studio apartment and study efficiently.

1. Location: The location of the student room is an important factor that can affect daily routine and comfort. Students should consider whether they would prefer to live close to the university/college or in a quiet area. Proximity to public transport, stores and restaurants can also be important.

2. Furnishings: The furnishings in the student room are another important factor that can influence comfort and functionality. Students should think about what features they need, such as a desk, a bed, storage space or a private bathroom.

3. Rental costs: Rental costs are a decisive factor when choosing a student room. Students should make sure that the room is within their budget and that they can pay the rent on time. Hidden costs such as service charges or deposits should also be taken into account.

By paying attention to these points, students can ensure that they find the right study room for their needs.

In cities in particular, it is often the case that good, affordable apartments or rooms are not advertised at all, but are passed on via acquaintances. It can therefore be difficult for people from outside the city to find an affordable offer at the beginning. This is another reason why it can be very valuable to quickly make connections at university, preferably with people who have local roots. Sometimes you can find better and/or cheaper accommodation more quickly through your new network.

When you move into your new shared flat, you will mainly need furniture for your personal room. A shared room is usually unfurnished, which leaves you with the task of furnishing it yourself. If you’ve been living in a shared flat for a long time, it’s sometimes possible to take over furniture, which can make the move easier. So here’s a tip: always ask the previous tenants if they would like to hand over anything. A bed, desk, wardrobe and possibly a chest of drawers are recommended as basic furnishings. Carpets, lights and a bedside table can also increase comfort.

Here is a short list of the most important things that every shared apartment needs:

A few tools for assembling furniture or for small repairs.
Light bulbs, in case they all fail at once.
A cleaning plan to keep the apartment clean.
Cleaning utensils for the implementation of the cleaning plan.
Community games for a relaxed evening in a shared flat.
A coffee machine to get through intensive study phases.
A microwave for when things need to be done quickly.
And last but not least, a large baking tray and baking paper for frozen pizzas.

Living in a shared apartment has various advantages. Especially at the beginning of your studies, you get to know new people in a shared flat and quickly make friends. In addition, older students usually have helpful tips for the start of your studies.
In addition to the many social aspects, living in a shared flat also has financial advantages. The costs for rent, furnishings and consumables are shared by the flatmates. This means that living in a shared flat is also suitable for students on a tight budget.

Of course, the cost of living also depends on the region. For example, experience shows that it is much cheaper to find a room in a shared flat in Basel than in Zurich, for example. Nevertheless, shared flats are generally among the cheapest housing options in both Basel and Zurich.

Consumables can also be defined differently depending on the shared flat. Do you only share the absolute minimum, i.e. toilet paper, cleaning products, salt and olive oil? Or does the flat share dinner together four times a week? The costs for the common goods will also vary depending on this. It makes sense to draw up a budget so that you can divide up your monthly expenses, for example for food, and have a better overview.

Living in a shared flat with different personalities is not always easy. The hygiene standards of the flatmates often differ and disputes arise. Communication is key, which is why you should always discuss things early on to resolve disagreements and find compromises. It is also important to agree on the costs and, above all, service charges in advance. Otherwise, differences of opinion can quickly arise.

Furthermore, loneliness is rarely an issue in a shared flat. However, little to no privacy is not desired by everyone. Especially when it comes to focusing on important exams, you need your peace and quiet. Your own room should serve as a place of retreat at all times.

2. Student housing survey

The presentation of the evaluation is only available in German.

Evaluation-apartment-VSS-definitive Download

3. Rights and obligations in the tenancy

An overview of the most important points to consider when entering into a tenancy!

Concluding a rental agreement
A rental agreement is to be concluded, whereby this may only be amended using the official form. Find out more
Initial rent
The tenant can contest the initial rent with the conciliation authority within 30 days. Read more
Deposit account
It is advisable to transfer the rent deposit to the deposit account only after the viewing and the mutual signing of the rental agreement. In principle, the landlord must open the deposit account at the bank. Read more
Obligation to register with the residents’ registration office
Either contact the relevant municipality or register directly via eUmzugCH. If you are moving from abroad, you must check with the relevant office which documents are required. Please note: The 14-day registration requirement must be observed when moving within Switzerland. If you are moving into an apartment that is not in your main place of residence (this is often the case with a shared room and/or financial support from your parents), you should register as a weekly resident. You have to pay taxes and household duties where you declare your main residence. To register as a weekly resident, you must register directly with the residents’ registration office at your previous place of residence. In order to register as a weekly resident, you must register directly with the residents’ registration office at your previous place of residence. This office will issue a residence permit for the address of the study visit, which must be deposited with the residents’ registration office at the place of study.

In particular, care must be taken to report any defects within 14 days. In principle, the tenant is responsible for minor repairs (up to approx. CHF 150) and the landlord for damage caused by normal wear and tear. Find out more
For questions regarding heating and ancillary costs, see Tenants’ Association website
If the rent is increased during the rental period, this can be contested within 30 days. Read more
If the reference interest rate falls, you may be entitled to a rent reduction: Tenants’ Association website
When living with neighbors, the house rules are always decisive. Read more
The tenant may conclude a subletting agreement with a subtenant. In this agreement, the tenant is then liable to the landlord for the subtenant. The landlord must be informed about the tenancy and is entitled to information about it. However, the landlord can only refuse the subletting if it causes him disadvantages (e.g. excessive use) or if a higher rent is demanded. Read more

Termination by the landlord
Termination by the landlord must be made using an official form. This in turn can be contested by the tenant within 30 days of receipt by the arbitration authority. Read more
Termination by the tenant
If the tenant wishes to terminate the lease within the contractually agreed period, the notice period of 3 months must be observed. The letter of termination must therefore reach the landlord 3 months before the termination date. Please note: The day on which the letter reaches the landlord or is ready for collection at the post office is decisive (not the postmark)!
If you wish to move out outside the contractually agreed termination dates, you must provide a new tenant. This tenant must:
- Reasonable (as reasonable as the previous tenant)
- solvent (no debt collection and income at least three times as much as rent) and
- be prepared to take over the contract on the same terms as the previous tenant.
  If the landlord rejects a new tenant who meets these criteria, the tenant is released from the contract and it is advisable to request written confirmation of this from the landlord within approx. 10 days. Read more
Handing over the apartment and record
When handing over the apartment, the landlord should keep a record of damage and defects in the apartment. If the tenant signs the report, they accept the damage listed and must pay for it. If you do not want to sign the protocol directly, you should ask the landlord to confirm in writing that the keys have been handed over. Read more
Deposit return
The deposit held in the blocked account will be paid out by the bank to the tenant one year after the tenant moves out (unless the landlord has taken legal action against the tenant).
With confirmation from the landlord (banks usually have a corresponding release form), payment is made immediately after the end of the tenancy.

4. Platforms and addresses for student housing in Switzerland

Finding the perfect accommodation during your studies can be a real challenge, especially in a country like Switzerland. Fortunately, there are a variety of platforms and addresses specifically designed to help students find affordable and suitable accommodation.

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