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Faq
Lock Replacement 2025
The Estudiantines Housing Cooperative has decided to replace all building access locks with electronic locks. No more lost or forgotten keys—you will be able to open the doors directly with your phone using the Salto Homelok app.
SALTO, a proven system!
This system is not new. It is already successfully used, notably at the Vortex, where it has demonstrated its reliability and security. Access via smartphone or badge is simple and fast, safer, and avoids the inconveniences related to traditional keys (loss, duplication, etc.).
The replacement of cylinders will take place during the week of October 6 to October 10, 2025 (apartments) and from October 13 to October 24, 2025 (common areas, cellars, mailboxes), with a gradual rollout for each building. To anticipate potential issues (particularly related to smartphone batteries), we have already ordered access badges.
Delivery is scheduled for the second half of October 2025. You will soon receive all practical information regarding their distribution and activation.
Before this replacement, you must absolutely complete the following steps to ensure access to your apartment without any issues:
- Download the "Salto Homelok" app (available on the App Store and Google Play)
- Create your account using only the email address you used for your registration with Les Estudiantines.
This is important, otherwise we will not be able to activate your access.
Don’t remember the email address you used when registering? No problem: follow the link below:
https://www.estudiantines.ch/en/find-my-mail
Of course, we remain at your disposal for any questions or assistance you may need.
Entrance
When you start your enrollment at EPFL, you are assigned a number beginning with BA (for Bachelor) or MA (for Master), followed by digits. This is the number you need to provide in the rental application form
Yes. You do not need to be admitted; your enrollment at EPFL/UNIL is sufficient.
Please note: A rental application at Les Estudiantines does not guarantee you accommodation.*
The residence permit is not required for the application. Students who do not have one may submit their application by including a copy of their passport.
The certificate from the Debt Collection Office only concerns students and/or parents residing in Switzerland. This document must be requested directly from the local municipality of residence. Foreign students whose parents also live abroad do not need to provide this document.
Your email or enrollment certificate from EPFL is sufficient.
Sign-ups for the waiting lists are generally open for one week.
The waiting lists are automatically cleared when a new list starts.
The lease is established for a duration of 1 year. The termination notice period is 1 month, effective at the end of February or the end of August each year.
Since all the apartments are rented, it is not possible to visit them. You can find some photos of the interiors on the website.
Yes. The EPFL employment contract is sufficient for your rental application.
After being contacted by the management, the new tenant must wait to receive the rental contract, which is sent by email.
The waiting time for receiving a new rental contract may vary from 7 to 10 days depending on the period. We kindly ask for your patience during this process.
The mention (+ 2M) after the student’s name simply means that the student is the sole holder of the rental contract and must therefore provide the landlord with an additional two months’ rent.
This rental contract must be signed by all parties before being returned to the management. Once the contract has been duly signed and received by the management, the new tenant must:
Pay the first month’s rent
Pay the rent security (only if the lease is in the student’s name only)
Provide the security deposit through a bank, Firstcaution, or Swisscaution.
Leaving
To terminate your contract, you must send your termination letter by registered mail, respecting the notice period indicated in your rental agreement.
If you terminate outside the legal dates (February 28 and August 31 of each year), you must present a replacement candidate yourself.
The proposed candidate has no guarantee of taking over the apartment. Since waiting lists are open, the management has the right to refuse a candidate in favor of someone already on the list, as they have priority.
Attendance at the move-out inspection is MANDATORY. If the tenant cannot be present, they must provide a written proxy to a third party.
The apartment must be returned in GOOD CONDITION and CLEAN.
Even if the tenant has not received confirmation from the management that the apartment has been re-rented, it must be CLEAN and in GOOD CONDITION by the official termination date.
The rental deposit and rent security are refunded/returned within approximately 3 months. It is therefore ESSENTIAL that the tenant does not close their Swiss bank account before having received the refund. No exceptions are possible. Naturally, in the event of damages caused by the tenant, the cost of repairs will be deducted from the rental deposit and/or rent security.