Ending a tenancy: template and information
Have you found a new apartment? If so, you’ll need to give notice on your old one. Here you’ll find important information and regulations.
16.03.2026
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1. Lease termination letter: template for download
You have to terminate your rental agreement in writing. This also applies to tenancy agreements that were entered into verbally.
You have two options:
You terminate with due notice.
You terminate outside the regular termination dates.
For a termination with due notice of your apartment, you can use this template directly:
How do I properly terminate the lease on my apartment?
Your termination letter must be signed by all tenants listed in the contract. You should send the notice of termination as a registered letter. The reason is that in the worst-case scenario, this allows you to prove that the letter arrived and when it arrived.
Alternatively, you can also hand in your notice of termination in person. Make sure you receive confirmation of receipt, including the date.
Important: in the case of married couples and registered partnerships, for family homes, both parties must always sign the notice of termination – regardless of who is named on the tenancy agreement (Art. 266m CO).
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2. What notice periods apply when terminating a rental agreement in the regular way?
Have a look at your rental contract. As a rule, it specifies the exact notice periods. If nothing is specified, the local customary dates apply.
For apartments and houses, the law stipulates a notice period of at least three months. This period may be extended in the contract, but not shortened.
Good to know: For furnished single rooms, the notice period is two weeks.
Important: your notice of termination must reach the landlord by the last business day before the start of the notice period.
For example: if you wish to give notice to end your tenancy on 30 June, the landlord must receive the notice by 31 March at the latest.
If the notice of termination is received late, it will only be valid from the next permissible termination date. In the worst case, therefore, you may not be able to terminate your tenancy until several months later.
3. Early termination: what you need to know
Are you terminating your contract outside of the stipulated time or did you fail to meet the cancellation deadline? In principle, you are still able to cancel your tenancy. There is a condition, however: you must find a suitable new tenant or a suitable new tenant .
Inform your landlord in writing that you are moving out early and are looking for a new tenant.
If you do not find a suitable new tenant, you are liable to pay the rent up to the termination date stipulated in the agreement until the end of the notice period.
What requirements does the replacement tenant have to meet?
According to the law (Art. 264 para. 1 OR) the new tenant needs to be a reasonable replacement for the landlord.
«Reasonable» means that the new tenant must be:
solvent
prepared to take over the lease under the same conditions
Make sure the new tenant(s) confirm that they want to take over the apartment from an agreed-upon date. The landlord does not have to accept the reasonable replacement tenant you suggest. However, in this case you are exempt from paying rent as of when they would theoretically take over the apartment.
Good to know: does the landlord want to increase the rent or otherwise adjust the rental conditions and the new tenant backs out because of it?
Then you are still released from your contractual obligations. This means you are not obliged to continue paying rent after the theoretical takeover date.
To be on the safe side, make sure to obtain confirmation that the landlord releases you from your rental agreement.
4. Terminating a lease: special cases
Fixed-term rental agreement
A fixed-term rental agreement ends on the agreed-upon date. No notice of termination is necessary (Art. 266 para. 1 CO). Ordinary termination before the agreed term expires is only possible if this has been stipulated in the rental agreement.
Good to know: If a fixed-term tenancy is continued by tacit agreement, it converts into an open-ended tenancy.
Termination upon death of the tenant
The lease continues after the tenant’s death. The heirs are automatically the new tenants.
The heirs may cancel the lease on the next statutory termination date (Art. 266i CO) – irrespective of any minimum rental period or longer notice period stipulated in the contract.
You must exercise your extraordinary right to terminate at the earliest possible date. Otherwise, you will lose this right and will have to adhere to the contractually agreed notice periods.
Good to know: if a person dies shortly before a termination date, many landlords grant the heirs a two-week reflection period.
Important: The heirs must jointly terminate the rental agreement. An exception applies if a single person in the community of heirs holds a power of attorney to represent the community.
5. Frequently asked questions about terminating a rental apartment
If a three-month notice period applies, the notice of termination must be received at least three months before the start of the notice period. This means that for common local termination dates:
| Termination date | Notice of termination before |
|---|---|
The notice of termination must always be received by the last working day before the end of the month. In this context, it is not the postmark that counts: the day on which the landlord’s letting agency receives the notice of termination, or on which it is ready for collection at the post office, is the date that counts.
There are different ways of wording for termination letters. However, the notice of termination must include all important information. This includes:
An exact description of all the rental propertiesthat you wish to give notice to leave. Remember also to include any ancillary spaces, such as a parking space, garage or hobby room.
Timing of termination.
Signatures of all persons named in the tenancy agreement and, in the case of family homes, of any spouses or registered partners.
Other details, such as the reasons for termination, are optional.
If you are unsure, it is best to use a template for ending your tenancy. This way, you won’t forget any information.
In all cases, the notice to terminate a tenancy must state the date on which you are ending your tenancy. This is usually the last day of a month.
You should also include the date on which you wrote the letter. This will help other people to place the letter in the correct time frame.
You must always serve it in writing. «In writing» means that the letter must be signed. For that reason, you must send your notice to end your tenancy by post or deliver it in person.
If you use the postal service, it’s best to send the letter by registered mail. The reason: this way, you have proof of delivery. If you take the letter in person, have its receipt confirmed.
The notice to terminate a lease must contain all the key information about the termination. These include:
An exact description of all the rental properties that you wish to terminate. Remember also to include any ancillary spaces, such as a parking space, garage and hobby room.
Timing of termination.
Signatures of all persons named in the tenancy agreement, as well as any spouses or registered partners.
You can still add further information. This includes, for example, the reason for giving notice and a request that the landlord inform you of the handover date and viewing appointments.
When giving notice to leave your accommodation, it’s best to use a template. This way, you can make sure that it contains all the important information.
In Switzerland, giving notice of termination by email is not valid. The same applies to notices sent by fax or via messaging apps. This is because notice must be in writing. This means that the document must be signed by hand.
Notice to move out is deemed to have been delivered, when the postman hands it over to the addressee. Was it not possible to serve the notice? In that case, the first day on which the landlord could have collected the letter in accordance with the collection request applies.
This article was first published on 14.04.2023
