Renting your property is a great way to preserve, maintain and increase<\/strong> the value of your real estate assets, while also generating regular income.<\/p>\n\n But can you really manage everything yourself? What rules must you follow? What are the potential pitfalls?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Here are 10 essential points<\/strong> to know before renting out your property.<\/p>\n\n Just because you own the property doesn\u2019t mean you can make up your own rules.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n In Switzerland, rental law is governed by:<\/p>\n\n Before offering a property for rent, it\u2019s essential to understand these legal provisions and to know your rights and obligations<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n\n You can also include general terms and conditions or a house rule in your lease agreements.<\/p>\n\n It\u2019s equally important to be aware of the rights and obligations of your tenants.<\/p>\n\n \u26a0\ufe0f Not knowing rental law can lead to serious errors \u2014 and potentially costly consequences. Start with a solid legal foundation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n Before anything else, assess the local market<\/strong> and determine the appropriate rent, based on:<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Several factors can influence the rent: vacancy rate, proximity to shops, schools, public transport, etc.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n \u26a0\ufe0f An abusive rent<\/strong> may be challenged\u2014or even judicially reduced\u2014sometimes significantly below the amount you intended to charge. Caution is essential.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n You may also choose between different rent structures:<\/p>\n\n An ideal tenant<\/strong> is someone who appreciates the property for what it is, takes care of it, pays rent on time, respects the lease conditions, and promptly notifies you of any problems affecting the property.<\/p>\n\n Of course, no candidate checks every box\u2014but you can stack the odds in your favour by paying close attention to:<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udd0d LPD (Swiss Data Protection Act): This law now strictly limits the information you are allowed to request from applicants.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n The lease agreement is the legal bond between you and your tenant throughout the rental period. It must be clear, complete, and fully compliant with Swiss law.<\/p>\n\n It should contain at least the following key elements:<\/p>\n\n \u26a0\ufe0f A poorly drafted or vague lease may lead to disputes\u2014especially if its unclear terms disadvantage the tenant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n In some cantons (like Vaud, Geneva or Neuch\u00e2tel), landlords must use a mandatory official form<\/strong> to notify the initial rent when a new lease is signed.<\/p>\n\n This form must be given to the tenant no later than 30 days<\/strong> after handover of the keys\u2014otherwise, the rent could be considered null and void.<\/p>\n\n And be careful: errors or omissions in the form can also render it invalid.<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udc49 Read our dedicated article on this topic<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n A detailed, dated, and signed inspection report, ideally with photos, is essential<\/strong> to:<\/p>\n\n \u26a0\ufe0f Without a proper inspection, the cost of repairs may fall to you<\/strong>, the landlord\u2014even if they were caused by the tenant.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n Both the landlord and tenant must maintain the property\u2014but who pays for what<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n Generally speaking:<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udd0d The landlord must act quickly<\/strong> in case of breakdowns or damage. If you delay, the tenant could claim a \u201cdefect of the leased object\u201d and request compensation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n Terminations must be formal and legally compliant<\/strong>, for example:<\/p>\n\n You don\u2019t always need to justify termination\u2014but if the tenant contests, you\u2019ll have to provide a valid reason.<\/p>\n\n The Swiss Code of Obligations provides an exhaustive list of legal grounds, including:<\/p>\n\n \u26a0\ufe0f Tenants can contest any termination of an open-ended lease. If they do, you must justify it with one of the legally allowed reasons. \u201cI don\u2019t like the tenant\u201d is not a valid one.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n This is one of the most important and time-consuming aspects of rental management\u2014it continues throughout the life of the lease:<\/p>\n\n \ud83e\uddfe Solid accounting is vital to ensure financial control and to facilitate your tax reporting.<\/p>\n\n Self-managing can save money\u2014but only if you\u2019re well organised, available, and fully up to date on your legal responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n A rent dispute, unpaid rent, poorly handled termination or invalid lease clause\u2026 All of these can cost far more than a property manager\u2019s fee.<\/p>\n\n That\u2019s why at MGM Fiduciaire SA<\/strong>, we offer property owners personalised support in every aspect of rental management\u2014administrative, financial and technical.<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udcac Questions? Doubts? We\u2019re here to help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Given the legal complexity<\/strong>, accounting rigour and administrative burden involved in rental management, many private landlords prefer to work with professionals.<\/p>\n\n Hiring a fiduciary or property manager means:<\/p>\n\n At MGM Fiduciaire SA<\/strong>, we\u2019re a local, human-sized agency<\/strong> founded in 1989, led by a federally certified property manager and accountant\u2014both with many years of experience.<\/p>\n\n \ud83d\udca1 We regularly see owners use templates or contracts with major legal flaws that can\u2019t always be corrected after the fact\u2014and that may have significant financial consequences<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a neutral, professional intermediary also helps maintain emotional distance from tenant relationships\u2014and make clearer, more objective decisions.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n You own one or more rental properties? Let\u2019s talk.<\/strong> We\u2019ll give you a clear, no-obligation quote.<\/p>\n\n
\n\n1. \ud83d\udcda Legal foundations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n2. \ud83d\udcc8 Listing your property<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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\n\n3. \ud83d\udcdd Type of lease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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\n\n4. \ud83d\udc64 Finding the right tenants<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n5. \u270d\ufe0f Drafting the lease agreement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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\n\n6. \ud83d\udcc4 Using official forms<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n7. \ud83e\uddfe Property inspections (check-in & check-out)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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\n\n8. \ud83d\udd27 Maintenance and repairs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n9. \ud83d\udce4 Lease termination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
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\n\n10. \ud83d\udcca Administrative and accounting follow-up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n\n\u2696\ufe0f Managing it yourself? Yes\u2014but not at any cost.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\n\n\ud83c\udf93 Why work with a professional?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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