How renting a room works in Switzerland

For most WG rooms, you're subletting from the main tenant, who in turn rents from the building's management company. Your contract is a sublease — legally binding, even though you don't have a direct contract with the management company.

In some WGs, your name goes directly on the main lease alongside your flatmates' (a joint or collective lease). That gives you more rights, but also more responsibility — you can end up jointly liable for the whole flat.

One to three months' rent as a deposit is standard, held in a blocked tenancy deposit account at a bank — not simply wired to the landlord directly. If that's not how it's set up, ask.

You get the deposit back when you move out, as long as there's no damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Utilities (heating, water, sometimes internet) are either bundled into the rent (a flat, all-inclusive rate) or billed separately on top of a base rent, usually as monthly advance payments settled once a year. Ask exactly what's included before you sign anything.

WG rooms typically have short notice periods — often one to three months, sometimes more flexible than a standard flat lease. If the contract doesn't say, the statutory sublease notice periods apply. Always give notice in writing.

In Switzerland, you're required to register with your new municipality's residents' office within 14 days of moving in — this applies to WG rooms and sublets too. You'll usually need a confirmation of residence from your main tenant.