Renting furnished residential property in Switzerland

Furnished residential properties include fully equipped flats, studios and flat-share rooms – ideal for short-term visitors, expats, weekly commuters or students. You benefit from quick availability and low costs for furnishing.

At a glance: furnished residential properties

• Move in immediately: furniture and basic household equipment provided

• Flexible rental periods, often fixed-term contracts

• Utilities often charged as provisional advance payments or flat rates

• Rent may be higher because furnishings and services are provided

• Limited availability, especially in cities with high demand

Market overview for furnished rental property in Switzerland

With a total of 4’840’096 flats in its housing stock, Switzerland has a shortage of housing, especially in urban centres. Small units are essential for furnished accommodation: in the last 5 years, 13’442 new 1-room and 52’510 2-room flats have been built. The overall vacancy rate is 1.01%. It is 1.27% for one-room flats and 1.12% for two-room flats, meaning that opportunities for finding a flat are slightly better in the compact segment. The average rent for a rental property is CHF 1640/month. 25% of properties cost CHF 1300 or less, while 75% cost CHF 2070 or less. Furnished properties are often at the higher end of the scale, depending on the location and amenities, but they remain an efficient solution for those in need of short-term accommodation.

What costs are associated with a furnished rental property?

The rental price consists of the net rent and any additional charges for furnishings. By law, utilities must be listed in the contract and are billed as provisional advance payments or a flat rate. A rental deposit of up to a maximum of three months’ rent is customary. In terms of budget planning, it’s important to note that your tax burden will vary depending on your situation. As a rough guide, the average tax burden is 12.38%. A single person will pay 17.6%, while a married couple with two children will pay 7.96%. Additional costs to consider include removals, final cleaning (if necessary), insurance (liability/household contents) and the Serafe licence fee.

A step-by-step guide to deciding whether a furnished residential property is right for you

1. Clarify your requirements: rental period, number of rooms, budget and location.

2. Check listings: list of furniture, utilities (provisional advance payments/flat rate), fixed term of contract.

3. Prepare documents: credit report, copy of ID, proof of income, references.

4. Viewing: check condition and inventory, draw up a walk-through checklist documenting the state of the property at handover.

5. Evaluate the tenancy agreement from a legal perspective: deposit, notice periods, utilities clearly stated.

6. Finalise your budget: deposit, removals, insurance and ongoing expenses.

Next steps

Start your search using the ‘furnished’ filter, arrange viewings and have your documents ready. Check the contract carefully and apply for a rental deposit account. Find suitable accommodation today, and move in as soon as possible.