- Autumn foliage and leaf blowers – what’s the best way of dealing with them?
- Night-time noise restrictions in Switzerland – what’s allowed and what’s not
- Utility Costs: “What do I really have to pay?”
- Renovating apartments
- Your rights: Construction Defects in New Housing
- As a tenant, am I entitled to demand renovation work?
- What to do when neighbours are causing trouble
- Energy-efficient refurbishment: Rent increase?
- New-build delay: what should you do?
- Smoking in Your Rented Apartment
- Duplicate key for the landlord – allowed or not?
- Trash disposal: Rights and obligations
- How much noise should children be able to make?
- Verbal rental agreements – what to watch out for
- Snow Removal – who is Responsible?
- Challenging your rent: “What are my rights?”
- Share Wi-Fi: With your neighbor on the Web
- Drying laundry indoors – what is allowed?
- What is allowed in the stairwell?
- What happens after the death of a tenant?
- Painting walls in a rented property: allowed?
- Rental contract
- Monthly rent
- Notice of termination by the tenant
- Notice of termination by the landlord
- Wear and tear
- Minor repairs
- Additional expenses
Rental contract
The rental contract must meet the requirements dictated in the Code of Obligations, but apart from that it can be designed in any desired manner. The contract must not absolutely be set down in writing, but it is highly recommended to do so.
What belongs in the contract?
Things that belong in the contract include:
- an exact description of the rental property including ancillary rooms (e.g. garage) and rooms for common use (e.g. laundry room)
- start of tenancy
- term of tenancy (fixed or indefinite)
- conditions for notice of termination
- gross rental amount or net rental amount plus additional expenses
- any provisions for security (deposit)
- special agreements
Smoking permitted
Smoking in a rented apartment is basically permitted. That's even the case if the tenant agrees to a ban on smoking with his signature on the rental contract. However, you must take your neighbours into consideration, otherwise you risk the danger of receiving a notice of termination.
Damage due to smoking
Important: When you move out, if there’s damage due to smoking you must not only pay the non-amortised portion of repainting but also the costs of anti-nicotine treatment of walls and ceilings. Your personal liability insurance does not cover any damage that arises from cigarette smoke.
Basic rules for keeping pets
If there is no ban on pets mentioned in the rental contract, the following applies: hamsters, budgies/parakeets and similar trouble-free small animals are permitted as long as they're not too numerous and lead to no complaints.
Ornamental fish are permitted as long as setting up the aquarium involves no modifications to the building structure. Dogs and cats are also permitted as long as there are no stipulations in the rental contract to the contrary. For all other animals, the landlord must issue written permission.
Basic rules for playing instruments
In a rental apartment you may play an instrument for 2 to 3 hours per day outside of designated quiet hours as long as you just don't happen to be pounding away on the drums and you take your fellow tenants into consideration. This right cannot be restricted in a rental contract or in the building's overall rules and regulations.