Question 1

What monthly costs can I expect when I move into my first apartment?

Accepted Answer

The main monthly costs are:

Rent
Utility costs
Electricity
Internet
Serafe
Homeowner insurance and personal liability insurance

Tip: Be sure to budget for these expenses before signing a lease so you don’t face any surprises after you move in.

Question 2

How much should I budget for rent?

Accepted Answer

A rule of thumb, your rent – including utilities – should amount to no more than one-third of your take-home pay, which is the amount that ends up in your bank account after all deductions. So if your take-home pay is CHF 4,500, that would be around CHF 1,500.

Important: Many housing authorities also apply this rule when assigning apartments. If you apply for a more expensive apartment, you might not stand a chance of getting it. This rule also protects you getting into debt.

Question 3

What are utility costs, and how much are they?

Accepted Answer

Utility costs typically include heating, hot water, sewage, building maintenance and electricity in common areas. The rental contract will list exactly what is included.

As a general guideline, you can expect to pay around CHF 3 per square meter per month – for a 50-square-meter apartment, that comes to CHF 150.

Important: Utility bills are usually billed in advance. A refund or (request for) additional payment is issued with the annual statement. So it’s a good idea to set aside a little extra.

Question 4

How much are electricity bills for someone living alone?

Accepted Answer

As an individual, you can generally expect to pay between CHF 40 and 90 per month, depending on your usage and region. Payments are usually made quarterly or semi-annually directly to your regional electricity provider. Many providers offer online calculators that allow you to estimate your usage in advance.

Question 5

How much do internet and Serafe cost per month?

Accepted Answer

Internet subscriptions start at around CHF 25 per month. When combined with TV packages, the cost ranges from CHF 40 to 110, depending on the provider. Then there’s also the Serafe fee of CHF 335 per year, which every Swiss household pays. You have to pay this even if you don’t own a TV set, since a smartphone is also deemed to be a receiving device.

Question 6

What insurance do I need if I live alone?

Accepted Answer

There are two types of insurance that are particularly important when you move out:

Household insurance: insures your personal belongings, such as furniture, laptop, bicycle and clothing.
Personal liability insurance: covers damage you cause to other people’s property or to your rental apartment (for example a red wine stain on the sofa or a scratch on the hardwood floor).

In some cantons, it’s mandatory; in most, it’s optional – but it makes sense to have it wherever you live.

Tip: Many providers offer both types of insurance as a combined package at a lower price.

Question 7

What one-time costs will I incur when I move out?

Accepted Answer

The biggest expenses when moving out are:

Rental deposit
Furniture and furnishings
Moving (supplies, moving truck, meals)
Administrative tasks (credit report, change of address, mail forwarding)

Question 8

How much is the deposit and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Two to three months’ rent is customary. The security deposit is due before the keys are handed over, so it’s in addition to the first month’s rent. With a monthly rent of CHF 1,600, that quickly adds up to CHF 3,200 to 4,800 payable all at once.

The money is deposited in a rental surety savings account and is returned to you when you move out, provided nothing is deducted for damages.

Question 9

How much will I need for furniture and furnishings?

Accepted Answer

The cost of furnishing a place varies greatly from person to person. If you can bring some items from your old home, you’ll save money. But if you’re starting from scratch, you should budget up to CHF 4,000.

Tip: Secondhand is a great option: Brockenhaus, Ricardo or tutti.ch can save you a lot of money. Previous tenants also sometimes sell off their furniture cheaply.

Question 10

How much will the move itself cost?

Accepted Answer

Here’s a rough estimate of the costs:

Moving supplies (boxes, adhesive tape, bubble wrap): about CHF 50
Van rental for one day: CHF 100 to 300, depending on the distance and length of time
“Thank-you pizza” for your helpers: CHF 60 to 100
Administrative tasks (credit report, change of address, mail forwarding): approximatively CHF 75

Question 11

How do I prepare financially for the move?

Accepted Answer

Three steps in particular will help:

Draw up a budget, before you sign the contract. The most important question is not “Can I afford the rent?” but “Will I have enough left over to live on after everything else?”.
Start saving early for your move – ideally in a separate account – so you can easily cover the security deposit and initial furnishings.
Opt for secondhand items and don’t buy everything at once. You should also be cautious when paying for furniture in installments.