What landlords may ask, and when
The FDPIC describes the application as a process in two steps. This table follows its leaflet on application forms for rental flats (updated 15 July 2025):
| Stage | What may be asked |
|---|---|
| Application form, all applicants | Name, date of birth, address, phone. Occupation and employer. Approximate yearly income, for example in ranges. Pending debt enforcements and loss certificates of the last five years. A copy of the debt enforcement extract. Number of people moving in, pets. Swiss or foreign, with type and expiry of the residence permit. |
| Chosen applicant, before the lease | Copy of ID or permit. Proof of income such as the salary certificate or single payslips. References, contacted with your knowledge. If needed, the original extract. |
| In principle not allowed | Marital status, religion, nationality as such, your current rent, how long you have lived in your current home, leasing and small loans. |
Once the lease is signed, the landlord has to destroy the forms and attachments of all other applicants, unless you agreed to a waiting list.
The dossier that is ready for both stages
- Application form of the agency, filled in completely.
- Debt enforcement extract, current.
- Proof of income: salary certificate or recent payslips.
- ID or residence permit copy.
- Cover letter: who moves in, why this flat, from when.
- References: current landlord or employer. Naming them is voluntary, and it is polite to warn them.
The Swiss Tenants Association notes that you are not obliged to answer every question, but that your chances of reaching the shortlist drop without income details and a current extract.
Keep control of your documents
This is where aptari is useful. The Tenant Passport is your dossier, built once: ID, salary certificate, debt extract, references. aptari reads each document once at upload and shows what is missing.
When you apply, the advertiser gets a private dossier link, not loose attachments:
- You see when the link is opened.
- Documents open after the advertiser confirms a work email. You choose: for every checked agency, or for agencies that shortlist you.
- The link ends after 30 days, earlier when the listing goes offline.
With the second setting you follow the two steps the FDPIC describes: basic facts for everyone, documents for those who seriously consider you. Deleting your account deletes everything.
This is general information, not legal advice.