Finding a home
Finding a home, well prepared
The Geneva housing market requires planning ahead: prepare your rental file before the viewings and check the terms carefully before signing.
The documents required vary depending on the letting agency (régie), the landlord and your situation. In Geneva, watch the number of rooms: the kitchen counts as a room.
Prepare my file
Search
Where to look for a home?
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Letting agencies (régies)
They manage a large share of the rental homes.
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Platforms
Online listings: compare address, rent and service charges.
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Your network
Colleagues, associations, communities: word of mouth counts.
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Scams
Do not pay anything before you have checked the landlord and the property.
The lease
What should you check before signing?
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Rent | Amount, due date and payment terms |
| Service charges | What is included (heating, hot water) and what is billed separately (electricity…) |
| Deposit | A maximum of 3 months’ rent, in a bank account in the tenant’s name |
| Term | Length of the lease, renewal, notice periods and termination dates |
| Inventory | Defects reported in writing, photos at move-in |
| Insurance | Liability and contents |
Mini-lexicon
The vocabulary of housing in Geneva
- Régie
- Agency that manages the rental of buildings on behalf of owners.
- Lease (bail)
- The rental contract.
- Rooms (pièces)
- In Geneva, the kitchen counts as a room: a 3-room flat = kitchen, living room, bedroom.
- Rent deposit
- Security deposit, a maximum of three months’ rent, in an account in the tenant’s name.
- Service charges
- Costs on top of the rent (often heating and hot water); electricity is usually billed separately.
- Inventory (état des lieux)
- Record of the condition of the home at move-in and move-out.
- Debt enforcement extract
- Document certifying whether or not you have debts in enforcement proceedings.
- Subletting
- Renting out a home by the main tenant, with the landlord’s consent.
Alliance Française de Genève
Viewing a flat in French
Understanding a listing, asking the agency the right questions, reading a lease: a private lesson can target exactly the vocabulary you need.
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Official sources
Rules and procedures may change and depend on your situation. Always check the information published by the authorities before taking any step.
Frequently asked questions
Housing in Geneva: your questions
How do I look for a home in Geneva?
Consult the letting agencies, property platforms, local listings and your network. Prepare your file before the viewings so you can respond quickly.
Which documents are needed to rent?
In general: ID, proof of income or activity, debt enforcement register extract, residence certificate depending on the file and other documents requested by the agency.
What is the debt enforcement register extract?
A document from the cantonal debt enforcement office showing whether you have debts in proceedings. It is very often requested in Switzerland and can be ordered online.
How many rooms does a flat in Geneva have?
In Geneva, the kitchen is counted as a room: a Geneva “3-room” flat generally includes a kitchen, a living room and a bedroom.
What is the maximum rent deposit?
Under the Code of Obligations, a cash deposit cannot exceed three months’ rent. It is placed in a bank account in the tenant’s name.
Why is the inventory important?
It describes the condition of the home at move-in. Report any defects, take photos and keep the documents: they protect you at move-out.
What insurance should I take out?
Liability insurance and contents insurance are often required or strongly recommended.
How can I avoid housing scams?
Never send money or sensitive documents before verifying the landlord’s identity and that the home really exists.
Practical guide to Geneva
Continue the guide
Nine guides to living well in Geneva.
Last updated: October 2026 · Guide written by the Alliance Française de Genève
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