Fit-out standards of an apartment: what does it mean?
Property advertisements often refer to the fit-out standard. What is the definition of fit-out standard? And what are the fit-out standards in Switzerland? Comparis explains.
21.09.2026
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The key points at a glance
The standard of finish describes the quality of the fixtures and fittings. Kitchen, bathroom, floors, windows.
«Basic», «medium» and «high» are not defined in a binding manner. These are marketing terms, not binding classifications.
Regardless of the standard, the landlord owes a statutory minimum standard: heating, running water, electricity, lockable doors.
1. What is a fit-out standard?
What materials is the apartment built from? What fixtures and fittings do the kitchen and bathroom have? Terms such as «simple fit-out standard», «medium fit-out standard» and «high fit-out standard» are intended to describe the quality of an apartment’s fixtures and fittings describe.
In Switzerland, there are no set definitions for the different fit-out standards. Rather, they are vague advertising terms used for marketing a property. The landlord or property manager decides for themselves which term to use.
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2. How can you tell the quality of finish from the listing?
The following overview shows typical features for each fit-out standard. These are not binding categories. An apartment can have a high-end kitchen and basic windows.
| Area | Simple | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Built-in kitchen with standard appliances, plastic worktops | Built-in kitchen with branded appliances, worktop made of natural or artificial stone | Designer kitchen with kitchen island, premium appliances, stone or solid wood |
| Bathroom | One bathroom, standard ceramics, basic fittings | Walk-in shower, branded fittings, high-quality tiles | Multiple bathrooms, bathtub in addition to shower, natural stone, steam shower |
| Floors | PVC, laminate or carpet | Parquet flooring or large-format porcelain stoneware tiles | Oiled real wood parquet flooring, natural stone |
| Windows | Double glazing, frames made of plastic or wood-aluminium | Triple glazing, noise insulation, electric blinds | Wood-aluminium with triple glazing, floor-to-ceiling, safety glass |
Comparis tip: During the viewing, ask about the year of construction of the kitchen and bathroom. Regardless of the promotional term used in the listing, a 25-year-old kitchen is hardly likely to meet a high standard.
3. What does «owner-occupied standard» mean?
If a rental listing states «owner-occupied standard», the apartment was built to the standard of a condominium built. Typical features include a higher-quality kitchen, walk-in showers and parquet flooring.
In Swiss new builds, this standard is now the norm, even in the mid-price range. However, each construction company decides for itself what it understands by this standard. There is no common basis.
4. What minimum standard can you expect?
The apartment must be handed over and maintained in a condition that is suitable for intended use is suitable for (Art. 256 CO). In Switzerland, the minimum requirements are heating, running water, an electricity connection and lockable doors and windows. All existing installations must be functional and safe. Hot water around the clock is now also part of the intended use.
A There is currently no obligation to modernise. The landlord therefore does not have to replace an old kitchen or provide the latest technology. If something is not working, that is a defect. In that case, a rent reduction may be considered. Report the defect to the landlord and set a deadline for its rectification.
As a rule, rental apartments are designed in such a way that you can immediately live, cook and wash in them.
5. Fit-out standards and property valuation
When selling property, the sellers work out how much the property can fetch on the market. The so-called market value is the result of a property valuation. In property valuations, the fit-out standard is one of many factors that affect the price.
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This guide is part of Step 4 «Reading listings correctly». In the overview, Comparis shows all the steps from the initial consideration to the acceptance of an offer.
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This article was first published on 28.05.2010
