What Makes a Good Room Application in Zurich? I Paid Students for Interviews to Find Out

With hundreds of applicants competing for each room in Zurich, no matter what you do you will mainly receive no reply. However, you still need to give yourself the best chances for when houses do see your application. I interviewed students asking questions like:

• If you could know one thing about all the applicants what would it be?
• Can you remember applicants who stood out in the past and why you liked them?
• How many applications did you send before getting your room?

Here's what I found out.

How Flats Choose Who to Invite

It varies by flat how they process applicants. Some take the ad down after a short time. Others wait a few days then go through all the applicant messages very quickly and select stand outs. Some read the messages in detail and vote on favourites together. Others invite the first few applicants whose messages don't contain red flags.

That means your strategy should be the one that can pass through all of those flat search styles!

The Perfect Zurich Student Flat Application

• Speed never hurts: Applications sent within the first day will have an advantage in most cases.
• Personality: Students often said they want to see the passion of the applicants. They want to know what they really care about. They don't judge what that is, but they like people who have something.
• Quirky: They all liked funny, energetic applications. It depends on the reader what their sense of humour is. So don't force it but share yours and when it matches the reader you will get an invite. You are trying to give them a picture of whether you will be a fun addition to the house.
• Basic info: Flats have criteria they're looking for (like age, gender, etc.) and if you don't mention them they assume you don't fit. But don't overload on these. Get them out the way and show more of who you are.
• Lifestyle: Some flats party a lot, some are quieter. You can't be everything to everyone so share who you are.
• Know how to live with others: First years have a disadvantage here as older flats trust them a bit less. Even so make it clear you know how to respect others and can communicate well.
• Matching cleanliness levels:Some flats are clean freaks, some are not, a few are slobs. In interviews it was clear that mismatches in cleanliness cause conflicts and that people do not trust people saying they are clean because everyone does. Its probably only worth mentioning it if you are a clean freak or if the flat mentions it in their description.

What to do if you don't get a reply

If you're not getting responses, don't take it personally. Instead:

• Apply to more listings: Most interviewees sent 50 to 80 applications. Volume is key.
• Expand your search area: Consider commuting from suburbs where competition is less fierce.
• Have a plan B: You will get a room eventually but know what to do if semester starts and you have no room.

Remember, persistence pays off in Zurich's competitive housing market. A good application increases your chances, but numbers matter too. Keep applying, refining your approach, and eventually, you'll find your new home.