When I lived in Germany and was around your age, I learned that being nice and open and friendly makes some people go for the jugular. Explaining yourself, being apologetic, trying to mend fences ends up being seen as weakness instead of as a friendly attempt to get along. You can still be friendly but you need to make clear that you are not going to put up with this crap. No more explanations, no more doggy daycare, no more smiles. Communicate the minimal amount. If they point out infractions, say something bland like "OK." Continue greeting in the hallway, but just "hello" will do. The more you try to get them to see your point of view, the more they will attack. Now you need to show them that you are not intimidated -- by being completely disinterested.
Like others have said, get a letter from your vet stating that your dog can be alone during the day. It's absolutely ridiculous to pay CHF 700 for something you don't need!! You will regret that someday. Find out if you can get a washer/dryer in your apartment. (That idiotic washer issue never goes away in this country, does it? You'd think it's 1955). Other than that, good for you for attempting to stay, especially because the landlord is on your side.
With a view like you have, one would expect to have a washing machine / dryer in his home, no? Ah! Switzerland!
Time to play hardball.
The neighbours dont seem to care about the landlord's authority over this matter but I suspect a letter from a legal source will shake them up a bit. Join the mieteverband to tighten the noose.
Explain to the folks there what has happened and they will tell you where you stand. Get them to draft a firm letter to these petty jerks to cease and desist such behaviour or there will be legal consequences for harrassment.
Keep a record of ALL incidents/interactions with these neighbours. I quite like Faltrad's idea of recording all conversations from now on. Keep calm, listen, nod BUT dont lose your temper. They will try to pick on anything and everything. You dont want to give them a leg up in any situation moving forward. Simply tell them that you are recording these conversations for your lawyer / mieterverband rep to advise you as you simply dont know what to do anymore (pull a sad face if necessary), and all correspondences and communication should be through your lawyer /mieterverband rep moving forward. Any notes sent to you will also be forwarded.
They sound like they are the anti-dog squad and since they cant catch you regarding the dog, they are trying to pick on the smallest things to stress you into moving out. The incidents you've listed - canopy, washing - are all petty matters. Who the f*** do they think they are to tell you when you can hang your washing/roll out your canopy? They have NO RIGHT to tell you what to do on those issues.
Fantastic job of keeping the landlord informed about all issues and he sounds like a very reasonable and fair bloke who knows that you arent at fault. Dont worry about being kicked out.
Its a great apartment in a great location, but at the end of the day, you do need to ask yourself if the hassle is worth it.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I don't know how your German is but...this might be a good starting point:
http://www.mieterverband.ch/zh_mb_nachbarn.0.html
It could be argued that the mobbing behaviour of your neighbours is damaging your enjoyment of your apartment. Compile a list - with times and dates if possible - of episodes with the baddies.
Get help from the Mieterverband to write a formal letter to your landlord indicating your displeasure and that all their complaints about your are entirely unfounded; nd that if the mobbing does not stop you will have no choice but to seek legal redress - including seeking a reduction in rent.
Cheers,
Nick
No, i do not think so.
As much as he sees and understand my frustrations, he obviously wants to be left in relative peace knowing everyone is getting along in harmony.
He sympathises, feels I have done more than enough in my attempts to accomodate their nit picking, but is bemused as to why we cant work out our differences.
His advice has always been to try and talk and resolve, and bemusement seeing as he said they have never had these issues before, apart from 20 years ago with another young guy, though not quite as young as me. After that they had a long term tenant, and the dog guy before me who was there a year and went to Italy for a religious position, some high up church guy.
You may have a point here.
I mean, even after every dispute i have kept up the niceties. Saying hello, being polite, I just finally lost it two weeks ago and thought fine, 2 months of being nice is allowing you too push it even further, so now you get nasty me. Which resulted in speaking to neighbour above about how nasty I spoke to her........., when neighbour above got involved as if to tell me off, I lost it with her. Only to be patronized, "we do not speak like that in this building". Of course I pointed out that being nice and polite wasnt working so maybe you will understand f off and leave me alone more clearly.
How can anyone hate Louix anyway: