Termination by the tenants
Termination of the flat by the tenants must be in writing. This procedure is compulsory, even if no written tenancy contract exists.
It is crucially important to consider the termination dates in the rental contract. The landlord must receive the termination before the end of the termination deadline. For reasons of proof, it is recommended to send the termination as a registered letter.
If you bring the termination letter personally, you should have a duplicate with you that the landlord should sign for confirmation.
All rental contracting parties have to sign the termination. In the case of a married couple, both partners must sign, even if the tenancy contract is held in only one name.
If the termination of the flat does not take place on the termination dates, the tenant must provide a new tenant, who has to agree to take over the existing rental contract at the same conditions. This also means that the landlord cannot change the contract. If the tenant cannot find a new tenant, they have to continue to pay rent until the contractually regulated termination period is over.
Free download of example letter as Word document:
Example/template for timely termination of rental contract
Example/template for termination of rental contract outside of termination deadline
Termination by landlord
If landlords terminate tenancy, they have to do this with a form authorised by the canton (property for living and business). In any other case, the termination is invalid.
In the case of a family flat, both parties of a married couple or a civil partnership must receive the termination separately in writing.
Where required, the landlord must be able to justify the termination.
The tenants can appeal the termination at the arbitration board as improper. The period therefore is 30 days after receipt. Extension of lease is also possible. With property for living it is possible up to 4 years, with property for business 6 years.
