Tenants pay for the apartments a lot more than they have to

The Swiss are a nation of tenants. Only about 40 percent of the homes belong to their residents. In contrast to other European countries, Switzerland has owners the lowest proportion of Residential. And the Swiss have their Rent cost a lot more than they have to.

A new study by the real estate service provider IAZI comes to the conclusion that only about a third of all the tenants asking for a rent reduction. It is a reduction, which would be entitled according to the law. "It's like Christmas, but two-thirds do not get the gift," said Donato Scognamiglio, chief of IAZI.

Every three months, the Federal office of housing publishes the reference rate. This is the Rent based. Since June of 2017, this has remained the same, compared to 2008, but two percentage points lower. For each reduction, the tenant could request a lower rent.

"Many don't know it"

not have to respond to landlords. And since Imboden, Secretary-General of the Swiss tenants ' Association, the Problem, according to Natalie. An automatic adjustment of the Rent to the reference interest rate would simplify a lot of things, says Imboden. Otherwise, tenants would have to be active yourself. And you did not. "Many simply do not know that you may not require an adjustment."

The tenant Association to accompany the reference interest rate cuts, each with a large-scale advertising campaigns. Not enough, however. However, there are also tenants that knew of their right but did not react, says Imboden. "It is also associated with effort."

another explanation for why tenants seek cheaper Rents: they are afraid of the possible consequences and keep with demands. The call for a lower rent but may have, for example, no termination.

Also on the political level, discussions of how the design of the rental rates in the future should look like. Reason: The provision in force since the 90s. The Council of States wants the Federal Council revised thoroughly.

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How much money the tenant due to their inert behaviour, is only to calculate at a glance. 35 billion francs in Switzerland per year for Rent. In the case of a reduction in the reference interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, the expected Rent with a 3 percent lower. Is called for, and of these, only one-third, to pay the tenant approximately 650 million Swiss francs too much.

As of the reference interest rate has fallen in recent years, by more than 0.25 percentage points is likely to be of this value, due to the large volume of sales in the rental market of real estate, quickly in the billions to move.

The confirmed Cipriano Alvarez, head of legal at the Federal office for housing (BWO). How high is the gift to the landlord is accurate, however, difficult to determine. About investments in the apartments are made, not rent reductions. The BWO is based on Figures from the rent index, a reference interest rate reduction of only about 20 percent of the Rent decrease.

May the tenant still have positive prospects: As the mortgage rates continue to move down, it is not excluded that it'll be 2020 of a further reduction in the reference interest rate, says Cipriano Alvarez. Then re-lower Rent could be required.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 20.03.2019, 19:34 PM