Tenancy & service charges
Your rights as a tenant — service charges, the reference rate and rent reductions.
17 Jun 2026
Transit quality class A, B, C, D: what the badge on every Swiss listing really means
The transit quality class appears on every Swiss property listing — but few people know what A, B, C and D mean in practice. The ARE system tells you exactly how well connected a location is by public transport.
5 min read
17 Jun 2026
Noise in apartments: limits, rights and what to check before moving in
Around one million people in Switzerland are exposed to road noise that exceeds the legal limit. What the decibel scale means, which limits apply — and what you can legally demand as a renter or buyer.
8 min read
17 Jun 2026
Swiss vacancy rate: what the figure means for your apartment search
Switzerland's vacancy rate has fallen to 1.08% — the lowest since 2001. Where the market is tightest, why it happened and what it means for renters.
4 min read
16 Jun 2026
The rental deposit: at most 3 months’ rent — and it stays your money
The deposit may not exceed three months’ rent and must sit in a blocked account in your name. The money stays yours, the interest is yours, and it is protected if the landlord goes bankrupt. Cash deposit or deposit insurance? We explain both — with a calculator.
4 min read
16 Jun 2026
Ending your lease: notice periods, dates and the replacement tenant
Three months’ notice, on a termination date — and what counts is not the postmark but when the letter arrives. The latest day you can give notice, how to do it correctly, and how to leave early. With a calculator.
3 min read
16 Jun 2026
Rent increase in Switzerland: when it is valid and how to challenge it
A rent increase is only valid if the form, justification and figures are correct. How to check the notice, when the calculation does not add up, and how to file an objection within 30 days.
5 min read
16 Jun 2026
Checking your service-charge statement: which costs tenants must pay — and which they don't
Many tenants pay their service-charge statement without checking each item. Which costs are permitted, which are not, and what to watch for with advance payments, flat fees and additional demands.
6 min read
15 Jun 2026
Swiss reference interest rate: when you can lower your rent
Switzerland’s mortgage reference rate dropped twice in 2025 — to 1.25%. But many rents are still pegged to higher levels. Do the maths, file in time, and you can claim back several hundred francs a year. Here’s how.
6 min read
15 Jun 2026
Service charges (Nebenkosten) in Switzerland: what tenants actually pay
Which service charges are permitted, how do advance payments (Akonto) differ from a flat fee, and how do you check the statement? A practical overview for tenants.
3 min read