The principle works like this: Based on the rent at a higher than the current reference interest rate, the hirer a reduction in the net rent by a fixed percentage. The most important questions:

What is the reference interest rate is?

the Federal office for housing (BWO) - with the reference interest rate is the average interest rate at which the mortgages are in Swiss real estate subject to interest. In recent years, the level of interest rates for mortgages declined. And now also, the reference interest rate is first adjusted for the summer of 2017, from 1.5 to 1.25 percent down. Since 2008, this is the ninth adjustment.

What is the reduction for tenants?

tenants have now, in principle, entitled to a rent reduction. In a first step, is to check whether the tenant can make this claim also claim. This is, for example, on the website of the tenants and tenant Association Switzerland with the rent calculator possible. In the case of a decrease of the reference interest rate by a quarter of a percent of the reduction claim is only 2.91 percent. This formula was developed by the BWO and set. Who pays a net rent per month 1000 francs, you can theoretically expect a reduction of 29,10 CHF. Overall, the reduction in the reference interest rate by a quarter of a percent corresponds to the volume of one billion Swiss francs in rents in Switzerland, says Natalie Imboden, General Secretary, tenants Association of Switzerland.

According to Comparis can save you a tenant of a 4-room apartment in the city of Zurich for the price of 2'000 Swiss francs up to CHF 700 per year, as the company writes in a message. "The reduction claim can be stronger if the current rent is based on a reference interest rate of two percent or more", so Comparis financial expert Frédéric cardboard.

What you need to do the tenant for the rent reduction?

if you want to profit, must take care of yourself in order to a reduction. For many landlords, the reduction will not pass by itself. "Important to notice is that it is "Goodwill "or a gift, but a claim of the Rent," says Fabian Gloor from the tenant Association of Switzerland. Who wants to make a rent reduction claim, does this best in a Letter to his landlord.

Has any tenant entitled to a rent reduction?

to claim, have, however, not necessarily on the total of 2.91 percent. Because the landlord is allowed to cost 40 percent of the inflation, increase in maintenance and operating, as well as any investments against the required reduction in set-off. This allocation is according to the Gloor, but only allowed, if the landlord can present exact documents. However, it may happen that a tenant in the full enjoyment of a rent reduction.

when is the rent reduction to be effective?

The tenant can demand a rent reduction until the next termination date. He must inform his landlord before the start of the rental period of notice. If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the next termination date and paid until then, the previous rent. The landlord has 30 days in which to request the tenant's position.

What can be done by the tenant, if the landlord rejects the request?

Rejects the landlord for a reduction, you can inform the tenant in support of his application within 30 days of the on-site competent conciliation body. The proceedings before a conciliation authority is free of charge. Even if the landlord does not respond at all, recommends a gear to the arbitration Board. In this case, the Letter must be submitted no later than within 60 days after the mailing of the letter to the landlord.

Created: 02.03.2020, 07:57 PM