Hi! I am a bit ashamed to be asking this question as I realize it’s a bit cynical. I am soon moving to an apartment and I’ve learned after the handover that the owner was 90+ years old. Is my understanding correct that if things go unfortunate for the owner, it can be inherited and then either sold to someone willing to move in or the heir himself may want to? I was hoping to spend a few years in this apartment and relocation is an expensive business, and also in this canton it’s very hard to find anything. What does happen in the “transition” period, to whom would I pay my rent? Sorry it’s a bit awkward to be asking this and anything can happen to us also in the young age of course but still I’d feel a bit less stressed if I knew how it worked in principle.
I am not a lawyer but I think this this situation is no different to any other change of owner. With a private landlord you are generally less secure in practice than renting from a pension fund or company owned flat. You would just keep paying the rent to the old bank account until you are informed otherwise - transfer of land titles can take some time, especially if a will is contested.
The usual applies, they have to go to a court which fixes the notice period, based on the amount of time necessary for you to find something suitable, eg family with kids usually 12 months (you can leave sooner, of course). Nothing special.
The only special case is the opposite, if the tenant dies, his heirs can cancel but still have to continue pay the rent for 3 mohtns, unless they find a replcement tenant.
Thanks for the clarification.
I’ve also asked ChatGPT about the “transition” period (when heirs are still being established) and according to it, it’s better to contact the debt collection office in order to,
- open a consignation account to continue paying rent there as it’s not always acceptable or/and possible to be paying into a bank account of a deceased person (*although I imagine I won’t immediately be notified in such cases…)
- if needed, they may also receive, validate and document letters from me such as a termination letter for example.
But essentially for ongoing issues such as a broken dishwasher or smith practically there’ll be noone to colab with me during that time.
Is it correct or it’s hallucinating?
Also is it better to join the local Mieterverbrand in my situation?
My Swiss neighbors above once joked that the best option is to get involved in the long-term care of the aging individual and eventually inherit the property.
Well, it was only a half-joke…
Speaking asan ex-landlord it is always better to join a renter’s association before you have a problem.
Even a landlord in his 30s can get knocked over by a Rothman’s truck at any time. He could outlive you.
It’s best to join the Mieterberband/Asloca regardless. They can be helpful in all sorts of situations.
Ohhhhh, you will be immediately notified. 1 page of the local weekly newspaper is obituaries. A letter from a lawyer may arrive within a few days. Everyone in town will know about it.
If you only found out after the hand-over, whom did you deal with? That is the person who will take care of you/inform you at least at the beginning, should your landlord decease.
As others said, with private owners things are always less stable but not only due to death but also to family members wanting to move in, sale because pension doesn’t last, emigrating to a cheaper country …
Don’t tempt fate by planning the landlord’s death, they might want to enjoy life much longer still. Plus they could turn 103 while you’re hit by a tree tomorrow.
Don’t tempt fate by planning the landlord’s death, they might want to enjoy life much longer still. Plus they could turn 103 while you’re hit by a tree tomorrow.
Even a landlord in his 30s can get knocked over by a Rothman’s truck at any time. He could outlive you.
I know. I also wrote this.
anything can happen to us also in the young age
I just want to know what do just in case if, of course I honestly wish the landlord to live a long life.
There’s like an intermediary, an agency, but they only bridged us together, i.e. my contract is still with the landlord, and I make payments to the landlord, and the landlord will also be holding my caution insurance release document. The agency will be still there for ongoing issues.
I.e. I don’t and probably shouldn’t communicate with the landlord, but for key points (payments, contract, caution) it’s directly with the landlord.
Swiss inheritance law applies equally to all types of property, including those that are not primary residences. If no will or inheritance contract exists, the property will be distributed according to statutory succession rules. The surviving spouse is entitled to half of the inheritance, while the children receive the other half. For non-primary residences, such as vacation homes or investment properties, the same principles apply.
Key points to consider:
1. Without a will, the property may need to be sold to divide the inheritance among heirs.
2. Testators can use a will to designate specific heirs for non-primary properties, subject to compulsory portion rules.
3. As of January 1, 2023, compulsory portions have been reduced, allowing for more flexibility in estate distribution.
4. Transferring property while the owner is still alive is an alternative to inheritance, but requires legal and tax examination.
It’s important to note that cantonal laws may affect inheritance taxes on non-primary residences, and these can vary significantly between regions.
From Perplexity.
Definitely some truth in that.
I am not that cynical =)
OK will do
well, I was considering buying a nice flat in Schwyz, but it was occupied by a family with 3 kids, and they were paying peanuts for the rent. From my research it could take 2-3 years to remove them so in the end I walked away. Renters can easily claim that they can’t find a suitable flat near the kids school, etc.
OP. it’s not a general rule, but in my experience relocation gets much easier once you’re in the area. Somehow landlords prefer people who already know the area, have lived around, rather than moving from a distant canton.
Apart from finding a place there are other concerns, like a relocation company costing a few thousands, notice period in the day care, and finding one, doctors, updating my address everywhere etc etc
it’s still nothing, when your kid(s) start school you’ll be much more grounded.
If you’re looking for stability above all, buy or look for genossenschaftswohnung. Genossenschaft apartments seem hard to get, but not impossible, just keep applying. I was actually chosen for one but I resigned as I have chosen living close to the city center, train station, shops, etc., ok, also because that one was a dachwohnung (attic) without air conditioning.
I’ve researched this topic a bit when I was looking for an apartment. Most of them require one to buy something analogous to shares to become a member and join a waiting list. And then the waiting list can go on for many years. Once an apartment is granted it can be a very cheap rent, correct. And there’s some profit from those “shares”. To me it’s too unpredictable and smells with socialism =)
My dream is to buy smth on my own…
You don’t buy the share (Genossenschaftsschein) to get on the waiting list. You buy it instead of paying deposit. And it makes you part of the community.
Genossenschaft is simply one of many enterprise models like stock coperation, one-man business or limited liability company (GmbH).
The share gives you a vote as well.
This article is pretty informatife. Non-German speakers can run it through deepl.