So 3 months security deposit I get, the first month rent up front also makes sense but then also the last months rent upfront seems a bit extreme. Has anyone ever had this?
Thanks
Hi All,
Yep this sort of thing is cropping up all over the place, basically as a result of the hyper inflation that's occured since the end of the restrictions from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine ( with the resulting drop in the number of oil producing countries now that Russia's sanctioned ) meaning energy prices and petrol prices are going through the roof affecting motorists and the rising cost of everything transported by road.
Landlords reckon their tenants would be hard put to 'make ends meet' due to the above and are ring fencing their prospective tenants ability to pay the rent on time.
I have not heard of that, although admittedly my experience is limited. It does seem excessive.
The standard swiss disclaimer of course is that it might be a canton-specific rule.
First time I hear of something like this.
Never heard it. Is it a temporary contract because otherwise it's really bizzare - who knows when the last month would actually be?
Hyper inflation in Switzerland!?! The end of the world is nigh, then.
To OP what is this “last month’s” rent? You mean paying for before you moved in and before your contact started?? This is nonsense...
You forgot the Bitcoin crash and the US congress public hearings on UFOs
@remi: that landlord is out of touch with reality...or a scammer.
3 months rent is a bit high, but legal. The actual rental is only due on the 1st of the month (or whatever day has been agreed on) when you move in, and does not need to be paid before.
As for paying the last month, that's nonsense. 3 months deposit is more than enough to cover eventual costs and if he wants a last month, that would also be a deposit so should also be paid to the guarantee account, but 4 months deposit is not legal for a personal rental contract - hence him disguising it as a last month payment.
Make sure the deposit is paid to a caution account that you and the landlord have to open. Don't pay it to him.
Also consider using a rental guarantee. There is a small fee to be paid but the extra protection it gives you is immeasurable.
https://www.zurich.ch/en/private-customers/homes-and-building/security-deposit-guarantee[/url]
or
https://www.swisscaution.ch/en/[/url]