Swiss-Red Tape: Lease Termination and Utility Cancellation

Does everyone hate moving as much as I do? Don't you just dread making each phone call? getting estimates? going through every drawer separating out the trash from the keep piles? selling stuff? figuring out what goes with you on the plane, what gets air shipped, and what goes by sea? I am getting dizzy just thinking about it. The list could go on and on...and literally it is. My "moving to do list" has taken on a life of its own. Check one thing off. Add two more. It just keeps growing.

And now just for fun. Throw into the mix of the craziness that your mother tongue is not an official language of where you live. Oh. Such good times! I swear. The reason for me taking all those Deutsch classes has become apparent in the last couple of days. It is not to get you through the day-to-day living, it is to get you through moving out of the country. 

Step 1: GIVE NOTICE ON YOUR APARTMENT
Each lease is a bit different, but for the most part you have to give at least three months notice to get out of your lease. We are a little bit of a special case because we are leaving before the three month period is up, making us responsible for finding a new tenant. Surprisingly, this doesn't scare me too much. Luckily, we live in a hot spot in Zurich with a crazy, huge balcony overlooking Üetliberg and plenty of green space to boot. I hope I am not eating these words later, but I think this challenge won't present many issues.

The hurdle with this step was just in having to contact the property management company. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what was expected of us and how this process works. So, ich rief gestern. Check that German out! And, die Frau I had to speak to really didn't speak much English. I think she is the first person to actually say no when I asked if she spoke English. Not even an ein bisschen. Somehow I made it through that conversation. We need to send a registered letter to them letting them know our intentions, move out date, etc.

The next hurdle was not in writing the letter, but getting it translated to German. By no means does my little bit of Deutsch school get me to the level of writing a formal letter such as this. I lucked out and got someone on English Forum to help me out. And, to pay it forward, my letter is below (both in English and in German).

This letter will constitute written notice of the termination of our lease on 31.08.2010. We understand there is a three-month notice period under the contract, and - because we will be vacating our apartment on 31.07.2010 - that we are responsible for finding a tenant. Therefore we ask you to quickly send all necessary forms for interested parties, as well as the forms for the refund of our deposit. Thank you for your help.

Hiermit kündigen wir unseren Mietvertrag mit Ihnen zum 31.08.2010. Wir wissen, dass wir laut Vertrag eine dreimonatige Kündigungsfrist haben und - da wir unsere Wohnung schon zum 31.07.2010 abgeben möchten - dass wir verantwortlich dafür sind, einen Nachmieter zu finden. Daher bitten wir um schnellstmögliche Zusendung aller notwendigen Formulare für Interessierte, sowie die Formulare für die Rückerstattung unserer Kaution. Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe.

Hopefully, this really says what I think it does. To be on the safe side, I sent both.

Step 2: CALL UTILITY COMPANIES AND SEND CANCELLATION LETTERS
This was also fun to do when English isn't an official language. Similar story as before. Somehow I navigated through the voice recordings picking somewhat random numbers to try and speak with someone who at least spoke Hochdeutsch. Only to ask them if they spoke English. Again I lucked out that my Germlish skills worked well enough to get me the answers I needed. I amaze myself sometimes. 

For most companies you will be required to send in a registered letter similar to the apartment notice, but some companies will require your de-registration form that comes from the Gemeide. There is sort of catch-22 with getting out of contracts, not with all companies but with some. You have to have this form, but you can't get that til about a month before you are leaving, and yet there is a three-month notification period. Just realized that you are going to get screwed and budget yourself accordingly.

Here's a list of possible places you will need to call. Make sure to have your account number handy. Cablecom, EWZ, Billag, Swisscom (or other cell phone company). Don't forget about other contracts you might have out there too, ie. health club membership, insurance, doctor bills.

And, here's a sample of my cancellation letters both in English and in German. These ones I sort of hacked together.

I would like to cancel my contract on 31.07.2010. We will be moving back to the States. Our account number is BLAH BLAH. Thank you for your help.

Hiermit möchte ich zum 31.07.2010 meine Vertrag im wegen meines Umzuges kündigen. Wir sind aus dem Land zu bewegen. Unsere Kontonnummer ist BLAH BLAH . Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe.

The next steps for us are getting this apartment listed everywhere I can possibly think of and to start selling most everything in this joint. More helpful steps to come. Aren't you wishing you could be going through this too?

Letting the Cat Outta the Bag

Secrets are the worse and I am horrible at keeping them. Ask Josh. Like when I finally find the perfect present for him (which is next to impossible to do) and I am just so excited he barely has to look at me and I am all like, wanna know what I got you...it is soooo good! And, before he even has a chance to say yes, I am already pulling it out of the bag and showing it off like I was Vanna White.

You all would be so proud of me. I think this is the longest secret I have kept...maybe ever.
So...
Are you ready for the secret?

WE ARE MOVING BACK TO AUSTIN!

Say what? Oh yeah. You heard me.

This all came as a pretty big surprise to us. We hadn't thought we would be back until maybe next year at this time, but sometimes opportunities present themselves and you just have to roll with it. This decision was a true test of our equilibrium muscle. I now believe this is a real thing. We would be dead set on not leaving Zurich and then, BAM!, three-hours later we would do a 180 and be dead set on heading to Austin.

There is a lot of change getting ready to happen for us. Oh crap. What the hell are we thinking??

Wish us luck through this transition. We are going to need it. Just imagine all the Swiss-red tape there is to get through. Plenty of details to come for any expats ever planning to move back to the States.

Appenzeller Land

It's been a while since the whole family got to take a day trip somewhere together. This past weekend we packed up and ventured out to see Appenzell, a small town on the East side of Switzerland. The weather has been so dreary in Zurich since about October of last year. We were so excited to finally see some sun. So, with cameras in hand and Stella on the lease we caught the train and waved goodbye for an afternoon of cheese, dog collars, and cowbells.

I am sure I have said this before, but East Switzerland is awesome. This is the really traditional part of the country where things haven't changed since way before your time...ok, maybe more like they haven't changed much. It has that small town feel where everyone walks the streets smiling, saying "Grüezi" like they actually mean it. Plus, its got those rolling hills that go on forever, with cows grazing on the greenest grass you've ever seen, and then the Alps in the background still with a little snow at the very peaks. Sehr schön.

First thing to do was to make sure and grab lunch before 2pm when everything magically closes until dinner time. We of course order from the section "Appenzeller Spezialität". I end up with a plate of cheese, a piece of bread hidden under all this käse, and an egg on top. I am not complaining. How could a plate of cheese not taste good? Josh got the standard Appenzeller Schnitzel mit Butternudeln, again smothered with a hunk of cheese.

Afterwards, we waddled the streets window shopping looking for these special, handmade dog collars that are from this part of Switzerland. We found the greatest store where the owner was hammering away at the metals cows that line the collar. Too bad they didn't have a pug-sized collar with a narrow width but a longer length to fit around their chunky necks. No fancy, Swiss collar for Stinky (insert frown here). She would look so cute in one. I should have gotten her a little cow bell instead or a pair of suspenders from Joshie.

Also on my list of cool Swiss things to own is an authentic cowbell, like one of the huge ones we saw at the Alpabfahrt last year. All worn and crazy heavy with the colorful leather belt. Too bad we stumbled upon a store after they already closed up shop at 4pm. Yep, 4pm on a Saturday. Now that is Switzerland for you. Who cares about making a sale. Gotta get home to the family.

Even without bringing any souvenirs home, it felt good to get out of Z-town and discover something new. This is definitely the life of an expat. Gotta take in every minute that you've got here!

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I am missing the "30 Days of Flowers" too, people. I figure the second best thing is a picture of a puppy, right? So, to help ween you off the pretty pictures, here is our Stella Bella (as my nephew insists is her real name) after her first date with some nail clippers and bubble bath...almost three years ago.

Expat adventures return next week. Schönes Wochenende.

30 Days of Flowers - Day 30

And, last but not least...my favorite...

Today is the last day (you frown here). I was hoping it would at least be a little sunny outside to help me with the transition, but Spring is still hiding behind the clouds here. On a brighter note, Josh will finally get his chance to publish his photos from Keukenhof Gardens probably in the next couple of days on his flickr page.

Click here for a slideshow of your "30 Days of Flowers".

The Way to my Heart

...is definitely through my stomach!

Look at these beauties, from all angles. I couldn't resist. Someone must love me to have brought me back 30 boxes of assorted Mac & Cheese. Who thinks there is something wrong with having macaroni for breakfast? Not me. It might be even better than brinner!

*I shouldn't have to explain brinner because it is one of the best meals of the day, but for those of you who are a little slow on the uptake, it's when you have breakfast food for dinner. Yum. Warm pancakes before bedtime.

30 Days of Flowers - Day 29

Just one more.