Renting a family apartment: The complete checklist
When renting a family apartment, size, layout, location, safety and costs must suit everyday family life in the long term. This checklist guides families in Switzerland from the initial planning and viewings through the application and tenancy agreement to the handover of the apartment.
Author: Nikita von Niederhäuser , UrbanHome property expert Updated: · Reading time: approx. 14 minutes
Define your family's needs
Before comparing the first listings, families should identify their actual needs. This helps rule out unsuitable apartments sooner and plan viewings more effectively.
Think beyond your current circumstances. Children grow older, childcare arrangements change, and an additional play area may later become a study or home office.
Must-have criteria
Maximum rent, minimum number of rooms, safe location, accessible school and any necessary step-free access.
Important preferences
Lift, balcony, private washing machine and dryer, additional toilet, pushchair storage or short commute.
Optional advantages
New building, a particular view, preferred flooring or one particular neighbourhood.
Questions before starting your search
- How many people will move in?
- How many separate usable rooms are needed?
- Will anyone regularly work from home?
- How much storage is needed for pushchairs, bicycles and toys?
- Does the apartment need step-free access or a lift?
- Which schools and childcare facilities must be accessible?
- How long is the family likely to live there?
Rooms accessible only through other rooms, hard-to-furnish spaces, insufficient storage or an impractical entrance can make family life difficult despite generous floor space.
Calculate your budget and actual total costs
When comparing apartments, looking only at the net rent is not enough. Families should add up all recurring and one-off costs.
| Cost item | Examples | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Net rent | Monthly charge for use of the apartment. | Compare with the household budget available in the long term. |
| Service charges | Heating, hot water, caretaker services and other agreed services. | Check advance payments or flat charges and which items are included. |
| Individual expenses | Electricity, internet, television, waste collection fees and insurance. | Do not assume these are included in the service charges. |
| Transport | Public transport, car, parking, longer commutes or school transport. | Compare location-related costs with any savings on rent. |
| Childcare | Nursery, after-school care, school meal service or childminder. | Check availability and costs at the new place of residence. |
| One-off costs | Rental deposit, moving, cleaning, furniture and minor modifications. | Reserve enough funds for the move. |
Advance payments or flat charges?
Advance payments: Tenants pay monthly advances. Actual costs are settled later through a statement.
Flat charges: A fixed sum is agreed. Unlike advance payments, this is generally not followed by an annual settlement based on actual consumption.
A cheaper apartment may cost more overall when childcare, parking or commuting costs increase. Always compare the full monthly budget.
Check schools, childcare and everyday family needs
The location of a family apartment affects daily routines. Short, safe journeys save time and make it easier for children to become independent as they grow older.
School & kindergarten
Check not just the distance, but the actual school allocation with the municipality or education authority.
Childcare
Check availability and costs for nurseries, after-school care, school meals and childminders early.
Public transport & commuting
Compare bus, tram and train links, both parents' commutes and possible parking costs.
Local services
Consider grocery stores, pharmacies, paediatricians, GPs and medical services.
Leisure
Include playgrounds, green spaces, sports and leisure activities in your assessment.
Traffic & noise
Assess roads, railways, restaurants, businesses, lighting and safe crossings.
Where possible, walk important routes. A short distance on a map can be impractical because of traffic, missing pavements, slopes or difficult junctions.
Viewing checklist
At a viewing, families should look beyond the furnishings and their first impression. What matters is how the apartment works in daily use.
| Area | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Floor plan | Rooms accessible through other rooms, doors, space for furniture and private areas. | A practical floor plan may matter more than the total floor area. |
| Rooms | Size, daylight, sockets, windows, heating and furnishing options. | Children's rooms need room for a bed, wardrobe and study area. |
| Kitchen | Worktops, storage, appliances, safety and space for a dining table. | The kitchen is used intensively in daily family life. |
| Bathroom & WC | Ventilation, dampness, storage, condition and number of bathrooms. | An extra toilet can make life easier for larger families. |
| Storage | Built-in cupboards, storage room, cellar, attic and storage areas. | Pushchairs, toys and sports equipment need space. |
| Laundry | Private washing machine and dryer, laundry schedule, drying room and access. | Families regularly have substantial amounts of laundry. |
| Access | Lift, stairs, entrance, pushchair storage and bicycle room. | Several floors without a lift can be demanding. |
| Outdoor space | Balcony, garden, courtyard, playground, shade and safe access. | Usable outdoor space improves quality of life. |
| Building condition | Damp, signs of mould, smells, windows, floors and damage. | Problems can affect health and comfort. |
| Noise | Roads, railway, neighbours, lift, laundry room, businesses and construction sites. | Noise affects sleep and relaxation. |
Clarify these points directly
- Which service charges are included in the agreement?
- Advance payments or flat charges?
- How is use of the laundry room organised?
- Is there pushchair and bicycle storage?
- Which ancillary rooms belong to the apartment?
- Are renovations or construction works planned?
- Are pets permitted or subject to approval?
- What quiet hours apply?
- Can a parking space be rented separately?
- When is the apartment available?
- What rental deposit is required?
- What application documents are needed?
Check safety for children
With young children, possible hazards inside the apartment, throughout the building and in the surrounding area need particular attention.
Inside the apartment
Check windows, balcony doors, sockets, glass doors, kitchen, stairs and possible climbing aids.
Inside the building
Inspect stairwell, lift, cellar, laundry room, underground car park and entrance.
Around the building
Assess traffic, car park exits, lighting, routes to school and playgrounds.
Major alterations or permanently installed safety devices should not be fitted without the landlord's consent.
Prepare an application dossier
For apartments in high demand, a complete, well-organised application is important. Prepare documents before the viewing and then tailor them to the specific property.
Typical application documents
- fully completed application form,
- recent debt enforcement register extracts for the prospective tenants,
- requested income or employment evidence,
- contact details of references informed in advance,
- a short cover letter tailored to the apartment.
State the correct number of people moving in.
Detailed information about children's health, school grades, personalities or private habits is not necessary for a normal rental application.
Personal data should be collected and shared only to the extent required for selection and the tenancy agreement.
Send especially sensitive documents only once the advertiser and transmission channel have been verified.
Review the tenancy agreement carefully
Do not sign a tenancy agreement under time pressure. Check whether its written terms agree with the listing, viewing and discussions.
| Contract item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Rented property | Apartment, cellar, attic, parking, garden area and other rooms. |
| Contracting parties | Names of the people entering into the agreement. |
| Start of tenancy | Start date and key handover. |
| Rent | Net rent, service charges, parking and other amounts. |
| Service charges | Items and settlement as advance payments or flat charges. |
| Rental deposit | Amount, type of security, bank account and payment. |
| Termination | Notice period, dates and special terms. |
| Minimum term | Any minimum rental period or fixed term. |
| Pets | Permission, approval requirements or restrictions. |
| House rules | Quiet hours, laundry, shared areas, pushchairs and bicycles. |
| Alterations | Rules for painting, drilling or safety devices. |
| Insurance | Required personal liability insurance or other proof. |
Do not terminate your previous tenancy too early: As a rule, give notice on your current apartment only once the new tenancy agreement has been conclusively agreed and signed.
Rental deposit and personal liability insurance
Maximum three months' rent
For residential property, a rental deposit paid in cash or securities may not exceed three months' rent.
Account in the tenant's name
The cash deposit is normally held at a bank in an account or deposit in the tenant's name.
Rental deposit insurance
Preserves liquidity but generally involves recurring premiums.
Personal liability insurance
Generally optional in Switzerland, but frequently required by landlords.
Check the insured amount, excess, persons covered and cover for tenant damage. Ordinary wear and tear is not automatically insured.
What does “family home” mean?
The legal term “family home” under tenancy law is not the same as an apartment that is simply family-friendly.
It means the shared home of married spouses or registered partners.
Special protection against termination
When an apartment is the family home, one spouse may generally terminate the tenancy only with the other's express consent.
Landlord termination notices must be served separately on both spouses or registered partners.
The rule does not depend on whether children live there or on the number of rooms.
Check carefully who is named as a tenant in the agreement and what rights and obligations follow.
Apartment handover and inspection report
At the handover, inspect the apartment room by room.
Record in the handover report
- condition of walls, ceilings, floors and doors,
- scratches, stains, holes and damage,
- windows, shutters, blinds and locks,
- kitchen appliances and accessories,
- fittings, sanitary facilities and visible damp,
- cellar, attic, balcony and ancillary rooms,
- number and type of keys,
- meter readings where recorded,
- agreed repairs and deadlines.
Photograph any conspicuous areas, including overview and close-up images.
Keep the report, photos, emails and other confirmations together.
Report immediately in writing, document with photos and observe any deadlines in the agreement or handover report.
Report defects discovered after moving in
Subject: Addition to the handover report – apartment [address] Dear Sir or Madam, After taking over the apartment on [date], we discovered these pre-existing defects: – [precise description and location] – [precise description and location] – [precise description and location] We enclose photographs. Please confirm that these points have been added to the handover report and let us know whether repairs are planned. Kind regards, [Name] [Telephone] [Email]
steps to the right family apartment
Define needs and long-term space requirements.
Calculate the maximum rent and complete housing budget.
Separate essential requirements from optional preferences.
Check schools, childcare, commutes and public transport.
Expand the search to suitable neighbourhoods and municipalities.
Prepare application documents.
Inspect the apartment and surroundings using a checklist.
Check safety, storage, laundry, lift and ancillary rooms.
Submit a complete application promptly.
Review the lease, service charges, deposit and house rules.
Give notice on the previous home only after signing the new agreement.
Record and photograph the apartment handover.
Immediately report defects discovered later in writing.
Examples from everyday family life
Large apartment without storage
A family of four views a spacious four-room apartment. However, there is no cellar, pushchair storage or built-in cupboards. Despite the generous floor space, everyday storage becomes a serious problem.
Smaller apartment in a better location
A slightly smaller apartment offers a practical layout, lift, cellar and safe routes to school and childcare. The family saves time every day and does not need a second car.
Renting a family apartment
Maximum rent set
Service charges and electricity included
Transport costs calculated
Rental deposit budgeted
Must-have criteria defined
Long-term space needs checked
Search area expanded sensibly
Search alerts set up
School assignment checked
Childcare options checked
Route to school walked
Public transport and commuting checked
Noise checked at different times
Floor plan and furnishing options checked
Storage and cellar checked
Lift and pushchair storage checked
Laundry and bicycle storage checked
Windows, balcony and stairs checked
Application form completed in full
Debt enforcement extracts up to date
Proof of income prepared
References informed
Cover letter tailored
Only necessary personal data shared
Net rent checked
Service charge items checked
Termination clauses checked
House rules read
Pet rules checked
Minimum tenancy term checked
Deposit amount checked
Deposit account in tenant's name
Personal liability insurance checked
Previous home terminated only after signing
All rooms checked at handover
Damage recorded in the report
Photos taken and saved
Keys and meter readings checked
Related UrbanHome guides
Searching for an apartment with children: How families can improve their chances
How families can find suitable rental homes, prepare their documents and improve their chances when applying.
What should families look for in an apartment?
Which location, layout, safety features and facilities really make an apartment suitable for family life?
How can I find an affordable apartment?
Discover lower-cost rentals with a targeted search strategy, flexible locations and a realistic budget.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a rental deposit?
Bank deposit or deposit insurance? The key advantages, disadvantages and costs at a glance.
When are pets allowed in an apartment?
Which rules apply to dogs, cats and small animals, and when is the landlord's consent required?
Terminating an apartment lease early
Conditions, deadlines and replacement tenants: how to move out before the usual termination date.
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Frequently asked questions about renting a family apartment
The most important answers explained concisely.
A practical floor plan, enough storage, safe rooms, short journeys to school and childcare, affordable total costs and an apartment size that will remain suitable are important.
Service charges, electricity, internet, parking, insurance, moving expenses, rental deposit, transport and possible childcare costs.
For residential property, a rental deposit provided in cash or securities may not exceed three months' rent.
Service charges must be specifically agreed. The contract should clearly state which items are payable in addition to the net rent.
Floor plan, room sizes, storage, noise, daylight, damp, windows, balcony, stairs, lift, laundry, cellar, bicycle and pushchair storage and surroundings.
Generally only once the new tenancy agreement has been conclusively agreed and signed.
A family home is the shared home of married spouses or registered partners.
Personal liability insurance is generally optional in Switzerland, but is frequently required by landlords.
Existing damage, wear and tear, missing items, keys, meter readings and the condition of every room should be documented.
Report defects found after moving in immediately in writing, preferably with photographs.
Only data that is suitable, necessary and proportionate for objectively choosing tenants and preparing the tenancy agreement should be collected.
No. A usable floor plan, adequate storage, safe journeys and a suitable location may matter more than floor area alone.
The right family apartment must work in everyday life
When renting a family apartment in Switzerland, you should not decide on room count and rent alone.
A practical floor plan, sufficient storage, safe rooms, short journeys to school and childcare and affordable long-term total costs all matter.
Before signing, check the rent, service charges, deposit, termination provisions, house rules, pets and insurance.
Do not terminate your previous apartment before the new lease is binding. Record and photograph existing defects when taking over the new home.
Search for a suitable rental apartment for your family
Compare current rentals by region, number of rooms and budget. Check whether each apartment's layout, location and total costs truly fit your daily family life.