Subletting should be more supervised. The Swiss people support this reform, according to an initial trend from the gfs.bern institute. On the other hand, uncertainty reigns over the other revision which aims to facilitate lease terminations for own needs.
In several German-speaking cantons, such as St. Gallen, Graubünden or Aargau, the “yes” to more regulated subletting is clearly in the lead.
In French-speaking Switzerland, Valais is also moving towards acceptance. Geneva, on the other hand, should say “no” by more than 64%, while Vaud and Basel-City are also in the refusal camp according to partial results.
Concerning termination for personal reasons, the results are still too close to identify a clear trend at the national level. The reform would be refused by 67% of voters in Geneva. Zurich, Lucerne Basel-Stadt and Vaud would also say “no”.
Two reforms
Last year, Parliament approved two projects from owners’ circles. The first concerns subletting, the second lease terminations for the owners’ own needs. The Swiss association for the defense of tenants (Asloca) successfully launched a referendum against the two revisions.
In a context of housing shortage, tenancy law must be relaxed, according to the right and owners’ circles. The left and Asloca denounce a “hardening” unfavorable to tenants.
The first project has the stated aim of preventing abusive subletting. Tenants must in the future send a written request to the lessor if they wish to sublet their accommodation. And the lessor must also respond in writing. The latter may also refuse the sublet if it lasts more than two years or presents major inconveniences for him.
The second project aims to simplify lease terminations for owners’ own needs. According to the law in force, the latter can quickly use their rented accommodation or commercial premises themselves, by claiming an urgent need for themselves, or their close relatives.
In reality, it is often difficult for them to prove the urgency of this need. Which can lead to long legal procedures, pointed out the right. The revision clarifies what an urgent need means: an important and current objectively established need.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
