Rental agreements in Switzerland: important information at a glance
What does a lease look like in Switzerland? What types of pitfalls might there be, and how can a lease be terminated? Comparis answers key questions on Swiss tenancy agreements.
Signing a rental agreement
Tenancy agreements – what you need to know
A written tenancy agreement identifies the rental property and the cost of the rent. In addition, both parties are required to sign. A tenancy agreement usually also includes the following points:
Parties to the agreement
Notice periods and dates for ending the tenancy
General provisions
Rental deposit
Essentially, tenants can agree on whatever they want with each other. However, if what they agree on is illegal, it will not be enforceable – even if the parties have signed.
A tenancy agreement is valid as soon as you and the landlord have agreed on the main points. According to OR 253, this means
the landlord allows the property (in this case an apartment) to be used
the tenant is willing to pay rent in exchange for use of the property
Agreeing on these two things constitutes the conclusion of a tenancy agreement. The agreement may also be verbal.
