Q&A - Long therm rental

A copy of your identity document, evidence of your financial capacity (employment contract or payslips) and a recent certificate from the Office des poursuites (Debt Enforcement Office).

You will need a bank guarantee equivalent to three months’ rent. This must be deposited in an escrow account in your name at the bank of your choice before the keys can be handed over. If you want to avoid placing three months’ rent for the deposit in escrow for the entire term of the tenancy agreement, you can also take out rent deposit insurance such as Swisscaution.

• The first rent is due before the start of the tenancy agreement.
• Rent must be paid by the 10th of the month at the latest.

Check your tenancy agreement, which sets out the specific charges for each property.

In general terms, the following charges are not included in the rent: heating, electricity, internet access, clearing snow from parking areas and chimney sweeping.

The heating bill is produced once a year.

Yes, provided you get the landlord’s permission in advance and there is no specific clause prohibiting sub-letting in your tenancy agreement.

You must get the landlord’s written consent before you proceed by sending an official request to the agency, setting out the terms of the sub-letting. The request must be signed by all the tenants.

You may sub-let your apartment once you have agreement from the property manager and the owner, but you remain responsible for all obligations under the tenancy agreement.

Check your agreement, which will set out the notice period for termination and the term of the agreement.

A fixed-term tenancy agreement ends automatically on the agreed date, with no need for termination.
Conversely, ending an indefinite tenancy agreement requires a termination process. The tenant must comply with the notice period (often three months for residential tenancy agreements) and the term of the agreement. Notice of termination must be given before the start of this period, in the form specified in the agreement.

It is essential to comply with both the notice period and term of the agreement. Contrary to what people often think, it is not enough to comply with the notice period; the term of the agreement must also be taken into account. An agreement can only be terminated at a particular point.

Start by checking the length of the notice period and the termination dates stipulated in your tenancy agreement.

Then send your request to terminate to your agency by registered post, making sure it arrives before the start of the notice period. The request must be signed by everyone named in the tenancy agreement.

Yes, under certain conditions. The tenant must find a solvent replacement who is willing to take over the tenancy under the same conditions.

To do this, send us your early termination request, stating the date on which you wish to leave. The request must be signed by everyone named in the tenancy agreement. You must then suggest a new solvent tenant to take over the tenancy.

The property manager will release your rent guarantee once the final inventory has been completed, subject to any disputes being resolved.