Joining Mieterverband too late?

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
21
In my experience that is exactly it.

It’s not like an insurance where you are not covered if the problem existed before you took out the policy, they will give advice on existing problems but you have to become a member which you can do at your first meeting.

IIRC from going there to translate for somebody years ago there was a small surcharge to pay for the membership fee if you joined at the first meeting compared to the regular membership fee but it wasn’t very much.

22
In my experience (Canton Zürich), the tenants' association will provide free legal advice (a conversation) to its members, regardless of when they joined. However, they will provide free legal support (e.g. a lawyer to attend court with the tenant) only for events that took place after membership commenced.

Edit: that was some time ago, though, and I'm not sure whether the same rules still apply.

23
In my experience (in Neuchâtel) they do both. Certainly in the two cases I was involved with the events had both occurred before the people joined asloca (as it is called here) but they represented them in court. In one case they also arranged for a translator to be present in court.

These were also quite some time ago now.

Given that the tenants associations are cantonal organisations as so many things are here it is entirely possible that the services offered vary depending on the canton.

24

Sorry for the late update. The explanation of the incident you can find it here in detail but may be too boring https://www.reddit.com/r/zurich/comm…eb2x&context=3

I confronted the landlord. At first he told me that the 14 days are for esthetic defects only (not true according to contract). After that, they admitted there is an issue with the door in writing but still argue that they can’t tell who did the damage to the locking mechanism and I have to pay. The landlord told me to use my personal liability insurance and he’ll pay the franchise which in my case is 200. Basically what he wants me to do is to lie to the insurance company

I joined today mieterverband and will update the progress.

25
Sounds like a bit of a chancer. Good luck with the Mieterverband - hope they find you a good solution!

26
The 14 days are for hidden defects which weren’t spotted at the handover so he’s wrong there for starters.

Expecting you to lie to the insurance is also a red flag in my opinion.

He doesn’t sound like a very trustworthy landlord to me.

Hopefully the MV will be able to help you.