Renting in Switzerland: a short guide

Anyone signing a Swiss tenancy for the first time encounters a series of terms that do not exist elsewhere in quite the same form: incidentals, advance payments, rent deposit, heating reconciliation. We try to explain them, calmly.

The net rent is the amount for the pure use of the space. On top come the incidentals (Nebenkosten), typically paid monthly as an advance together with the rent and reconciled once a year. They usually cover heating, hot water, caretaking, water and wastewater, and the operation of shared installations. What exactly is included is set out in the lease — it is worth reading before you sign.

The rent deposit in Switzerland is capped at three months of net rent and is paid into a dedicated deposit account in the tenant's name. The landlord cannot draw on it freely; release happens at the end of the tenancy, once the property has been handed back in order, generally by joint instruction of tenant and landlord.

Notice periods for apartments are typically three months to a customary termination date — the exact date is stated in the lease. For commercial premises, six months is the norm. Importantly: notice must be given in writing, and for family homes the signatures of both spouses are required.

Handover and return of the property are documented in a written protocol. We recommend allowing enough time for the appointment, inspecting each room together, and only signing the protocol once everything has been recorded accurately. It saves discussions later.

If you are unsure, the Swiss Tenants' Association (Mieterverband) and the local conciliation authority (Schlichtungsbehörde) are both available to tenants free of charge or at very low cost. And of course, our own tenants can always reach us directly.