What papers should you send off to impress potential landlords ?

You’ve just fallen in love with a new rental property and now it’s time to send in your paperwork.

With competition from other potential tenants getting fiercer, it’s vital to stand out by producing compelling rental documentation to maximise your chances. 

Here are some tips and tricks on how to compile standout credentials.

1. Cover every base

One of the most important steps is to make sure you provide everything required.

Below is a list of documents you should send in. The documents required may vary from one property management firm or landlord to another.

Documents for submission :

1) Certificate from the Debt Collection Register

This certificate is vital. It shows the landlord that you have no unpaid debt and that you are a reliable tenant on that basis. 

If you’re actively looking for somewhere to live, we recommend ordering the document in advance so you can get your rental paperwork together rapidly. Another point worth noting is that the process of obtaining the certificate usually takes 1-3 working days.

2) ID or residence permit

You must provide a copy of your ID or residence permit. If you are not a Swiss national, your B, C, G or L permit, or any other evidence proving you are permitted to reside in Switzerland.

3) Payslips for the past three months

To prove that you are a reliable tenant, the landlord will want to check that you are able to pay the rent. You need to include your three most recent monthly payslips with the documents you send in. Note that your monthly salary must usually be at least three times the proposed rental charge.

Additional documents we advise sending in

4) Certificate showing pre-award of rental guarantee

Before you move in, the property management firm or landlord will ask you for a rental guarantee.
 
Your landlord will request the guarantee to cover the cost of repairs in the event of damage or an incident. Note that the guarantee requested may not exceed three times the amount of monthly rent excluding service charges. 
 
Given that you’re still looking for somewhere new to live, you don’t yet know the exact size of the guarantee you will need.  

And that’s why we strongly recommend you ask for a pre-award certificate. It’s a way of rapidly demonstrating to your potential landlord when you sign a lease that SwissCaution has agreed to provide you with a rental guarantee. It won’t cost you anything to obtain.  
It may prove decisive in your search for a new home as a statement showing the pre-award of a rental guarantee can help you leap ahead of the competition. 

Additional documents to include in your file

5) A covering letter

If you fall in love with an apartment you’ve visited, we recommend writing a covering letter and sending it in together with your rental documents. It gives you an advantage over other potential tenants and provides an opportunity for you to explain your decision.

Explain why you would like to live in the apartment, what particularly appeals to you about it and how it stands out from the other properties you have visited.

6) A copy of your civil liability policy

Some landlords or property management firms may ask you for a copy of your civil liability policy. This insurance covers you in the event you cause any injury or damage to third parties and their properties.

Although this is not requested in every case by the property management firm or landlord, we still recommend that you arrange civil liability cover. Landlords like to know that you are insured against potential claims.

7) A certificate demonstrating that you have a guarantor and details about them

A guarantor is an individual who agrees to settle any rent left unpaid by the tenant. This step is optional, but it may be very helpful if your income is not three times the proposed rent, if you’ve just started a new job in Switzerland or if you’re a student.

You will need to obtain the following documents :

• A statement signed by the guarantor confirming that they agree to cover any rent you do not pay
• Their ID document
• Their three most recent payslips
• Son extrait du registre des poursuites

8) References

Good references can genuinely burnish your credentials. They show the landlord that you can be relied upon.
You could, for example, add the contact details of a former landlord and/or those of your employer.

2. Think carefully about how you present your rental credentials

As you’ve seen already, you may need to provide a large number of documents. That’s why you need to arrange them in a clear and sensible manner, so the property management firm or landlord can find the information they are looking for easily and rapidly.

Each document must be clearly titled (e.g. certificate from debt collection register, ID document, covering letter,) so your documents are as easy to find as possible.

3. Act fast

First come, first served! It’s crucial to show you are responsive when you’ve seen a property you really like. That will set you apart from other potential tenants and lift you to the top of the pile.

Why not get your rental paperwork ready in advance so you can send it in immediately following your visit?

4. Be open and honest

Demonstrate your openness when sending in your documentation. If you have pets, play an instrument or smoke, let the landlord know.

Otherwise, certain property management firms may not consider you for any of their future rental opportunities. We therefore strongly recommend that you are open and honest in your dealings with the landlord.