The Swiss are being asked to vote on the regulation of subletting, which has become increasingly common in the country's main cities. “The real estate industry and landlords want to tighten the screws on subletting,” announcement Blick.
For the moment, a tenant wishing to sublet his apartment must request the consent of the lessor, but the Code of Obligations does not require that the request be made in writing. The lessors intend to revise article 262 of the Code so that the entire process is now formalized “on paper and with physical signature”, explains the tabloid. In the event of default or delay, they would also like to be able to invoke “an extraordinary right of termination”.
In fact, official data is lacking on the extent of the phenomenon, underlines Time. But according to the real estate research firm Wüest Partner “between the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2024, the number of homes offered for sublease jumped by around 42%” – without even taking into account Airbnb rentals. In question, the supply of housing, which remains very insufficient, and the level reached by rents. In large cities, notes Wüest Partner, the rents of sublet properties, frequently based on old leases, are below the market. Subletting thus appears as “an interesting alternative for accommodation at cheaper prices”.
The city of Zurich is primarily concerned. “On the one hand, rents there are very high compared to the rest of Switzerland and the shortage is more marked there. On the other hand, the importance of its economic center and the reputation of its universities attract both business travelers and students, who are looking for short to medium-term rentals. analyse Time. In Zurich, over the last ten years, the share of sublets has increased fourfold.
The phenomenon is not limited to housing, but also affects commercial premises. In Swiss cities, the office occupancy rate is currently 72% on average, “a situation which encourages more and more companies to offer their unused spaces for subletting.”
Related News :