Rent advertised vs contract

zurijkess · 25 August 2018 18:40

Hi All,

I applied for an apartment, price chf 1100, I got it, got the contract, and contract now says rent is CHF 1350. They talk about the reference rate (1.5%) and renovations as price increase factor, but I don't think anything has been renovated since 2014, when the old price was effective. Did the reference rate really change that much since 2014 that I have to now pay CHF 200 more? Even if it had been renovated, would that grant a 20% increase per month?

Has anyone got experience in how to challenge this? CHF 1350 is still a great price, but it was not what I expected.

Thanks,

Szilvia

leophillalo · 25 August 2018 18:58

You can challenge, and they can redraw the offer.

You can also challenge after you signed it, but be certain that you are in your right to do so. Market value and such are also important if the previous tenant has been in it for some yrs they are free to raise the rent up to market value of the property.

zurijkess · 25 August 2018 20:02

Thank you, I will definitely sign. I will see if I challenge. It just took me by surprise. I thought they would advertise with true price.

Amichief · 25 August 2018 20:12

They're just bullshitting you. Reference rate has been steadily going down for many years => rents are going down as well. Renovations may justify the increase but do they have proofs? Rent increase of more than 10% compared to previous tenant entitles you to challenge the rent with Schlichtungsbehörde within first 30 days after signing, so they better have a proof of said renovations ready

zurijkess · 26 August 2018 06:43

Thanks, that’s what I think too.

Bowlie · 26 August 2018 06:58

Keep the original advertisement. Join the renters association and ask their views.

zurijkess · 26 August 2018 07:01

Thanks, I was thinking of doing exactly that.

dimitsurajira · 26 August 2018 10:08

I got the info about the previous rent directly from the agency with the contract.

leophillalo · 26 August 2018 11:51

Do you know when the price of 1100,- was introduced?

Yes prices on average are dropping a little for the last 2 years, but from 2000 till 2013 they grew with an average of 3,4% in Zürich so if the 1100,- was introduced in let's say 2008 I see nothing wrong with this raise, and if they renovated 4 yrs ago but never raised the price due to that they can decide to do so now.

Stories of people leaving a rental in which they lived for long time and the rent going up by 50% for the next tenant are nothing weird.