Independent at long last. Moving into your first home.

Checklist for renting your first home in Switzerland:

• Application for your first home: cover letter containing information about what you do for a living, your salary and the reasons why you would like to move into the property, as well as references or a letter of recommendation and an extract from the debt collection register
• Property costs: budget for rent, utilities and living costs, deposit, moving fees and furnishings
• Furnishing your new place: bed, sofa, table, chairs, cabinets, refrigerator, cooker, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, glasses
• Insurance for your first home: household contents insurance to cover damage and theft of your personal belongings, personal liability insurance to protect against claims for damages by your landlord
• Bits and bobs for your first home: lamps, curtains or blinds, cleaning products and cleaning supplies, tools to make minor repairs

Once you’ve moved into your first home, make sure you inform or register with:

• Residents’ registration office
• Internet and telephone service provider
• Electricity provider
• Inform authorities, insurance companies, banks, doctors and personal contacts of your change of address

Costs for your first home:

• Rent: monthly rent (which will depend on the location, size and condition of the house or flat)
• Utilities (approx. 10–15% of the net rent): heating, water, maintenance, wastewater and waste disposal fees, administration
• Deposit: usually three months’ rent as security for potential damage or outstanding payments; refunded at the end of the contract
• Removal costs: hire cars, movers, packing materials
• Furnishings: furniture, white goods, kitchen appliances and other home furnishings
• Insurance: personal liability insurance and household contents insurance
• Registration fees and contracts: costs for re-registering with the residents’ registration office, connection charges and contract costs for electricity, water, internet and TV services
• Other costs: ongoing costs for the likes of food, household supplies, cleaning products, landline/mobile phone contracts and public transport

• The checklist for renting your first home in Switzerland also covers the question of what percentage of your net income you should budget for rent. Rent usually accounts for the lion’s share of your monthly expenses and should not be more than 30% of your net income.
• You also have to factor in the cost of utilities. They vary depending on the size of your new home and its location.
• Your budget should also include other expenses such as insurance, food and transport costs. Analyse your income and expenses carefully to come up with a realistic budget.

Insurance checklist for your first home:

• Personal liability insurance: this protects against claims for damages if you accidentally cause damage to the property.
• Household contents insurance: this covers the value of your personal belongings (such as furniture, electrical appliances and clothes). It also protects against damage caused by fire, theft, water or vandalism. You can also choose to take out additional insurance covering the likes of glass breakage, luggage or household contents accidental damage.
• Legal protection insurance: this is helpful in various types of legal disputes – such as disputes with your landlord – and in the field of employment law.
  
• Check what conditions and coverage the various insurance products offer. Get advice to ensure your individual needs and situation are covered.