First apartment of your own: Tips, discounts and checklist

Before you sign the rental contract, check your budget realistically:

• Plan the monthly rent so that it makes up a maximum of 1/3 of your net income.
• Don't forget additional costs such as electricity, internet, Serafe (fee for radio and TV) and house maintenance – these will be extra to the rent.
• You usually have to provide 2-3 months' rent for the deposit. If necessary, you can take out security deposit insurance. This means you remain financially flexible and do not have to deposit money in a blocked account.
• Calculate the costs for your furnishings and keep a small reserve for the unexpected.

Prepare yourself as well as possible when looking for an apartment to increase your chances:

• Have all the necessary documents ready: Extract from the debt collection register, payslip, copy of ID and, if applicable, letter of recommendation.
• During the application process: Be punctual, friendly and introduce yourself briefly – that way you'll make a good impression.

• Check the rental agreement carefully before you sign it.
• When moving in, draw up an apartment handover protocol together with the landlord and document any defects in writing. This will help later when you hand the apartment back. 

The right security is simply part of starting your first home. We recommend:

• Household contents insurance:
  This protects your personal belongings at home in case they are damaged or stolen.
  10% discount:
  You get this discount on Zurich household contents insurance (not on the premium for damage caused by natural hazards) if you are between 26 and 30 years old.
  20% discount:
  You get this discount on Zurich household contents insurance (not on the premium for damage caused by natural hazards) if you are between 18 and 25 years old.
• Personal liability insurance:
  This insurance covers you worldwide if you injure someone or damage their property.
  20% discount:
  You get this discount on Zurich personal liability insurance if you are between 26 and 30 years old.
  30% discount:
  You get this discount on Zurich personal liability insurance if you are between 18 and 25 years old.

If necessary, you can also take out personal legal protection insurance to provide you with legal support in the event of disputes with your landlord, for example.

Extra tip for couples and shared flats: 

• As a couple, you can combine your household contents insurance and personal liability insurance or use a joint insurance policy. This saves you money. The same applies to our Zurich Travel Insurance, Relax Assistance.
• In a shared flat, everyone should have their own household contents and personal liability insurance, because the members of a shared flat change at times, and joint policies would therefore be more complicated. However, if members of a shared flat cause damage to each other’s property, this is not usually covered by personal liability insurance.

You can find more useful information in our household insurance guide.

Moving always costs money. However there are many ways to save money and there are practical alternatives:

• Friends as removal helpers: If you don't hire a removal company, you can save several hundred francs. But be careful: If your friends help you move, they are only liable to a limited extent if they break something during the move.
• Transport vehicle: See if your friends or acquaintances know anyone with a transport vehicle. This will certainly be cheaper for you than using a removal company. However, make sure you are properly insured. Third-party driver insurance protects you if the worst comes to the worst.
• Parking space: Secure a parking space in front of your current and new apartment. This is important so that you or the removal company can load and unload your belongings without any problems.
• Sell things: Instead of throwing things away, you can sell some of your furniture, clothes or books. Place a classified ad on the Internet or sell your things through social media channels.
• Buy used furniture: Can you take over a bed, a closet or another piece of furniture from the previous tenant? This not only saves you money, but also the time needed to dismantle and reassemble the furniture.
• Used moving boxes: You don't necessarily have to buy new moving boxes. You can re-use used cardboard boxes that are in good condition. So keep an eye out among friends and acquaintances for used moving boxes.

You can find even more useful information in our moving checklist as a PDF and our article with moving tips.

Inexpensive and practical furnishings are often important for the first apartment. You can save money with this, for example with:

• Affordable starter packages: Many furniture stores and online stores offer special starter packages for first-time buyers or students. They contain the essentials, such as a bed, mattress, table, chair and closet – usually at attractive prices. Advantage: You can add items individually later on.
• Furniture takeover: Use the opportunity to take over furniture from the previous tenant. This not only saves you money, but also time for transportation and assembly.
• Secondhand and network: Find furniture and household items via second-hand portals, flea markets or among friends and family. This is sustainable and affordable.
  First things first: A bed, seating, storage space, lamps and basic kitchen equipment (crockery, cutlery, pots and pans) are usually enough to get you started.
• Be creative: DIY and upcycling projects, e.g. a bed or shelf made from wooden pallets, are an individual and inexpensive alternative.
  Expand step by step: Start with basic equipment and gradually add what you really need.

• Register or re-register your place of residence: Register with the municipality or residents' registration office in your new place of residence within the specified period.
• Change your address: Remember to report your new address to the authorities (local authority, road traffic office, etc.), insurers (health insurance, household insurance, etc.), energy suppliers (electricity, water, gas), and telecommunications providers (internet, telephone). Use our checklist to change your address.
• Greet the new neighbors: Introduce yourself briefly – a friendly start makes living alongside them easier.