Rental Contract Period?

Accomodation, House and Garden
1
Hello all!

Regarding rental contract period in Switzerland, is it obligatory to rent and sign a contract for at least 1 year? let's say I am looking for an apartment for 10 months, can I still sign a rental contract? or it doesn't matter, as long as I notify the agent 2 months before I move out?

I am aware of sublease, but there aren't that many offers longer than 6 months, so would still consider an actual rental.

Thank you!!!

2
You’re not obliged to sign any contract but if you do, you generally are bound by it. One option is to sign for the year then find a suitable subtenant if you need to leave earlier. This probably also explains why you yourself are seeing so many short term sublets - people are in the same boat as you.

3
It really depends on the contract and local rules. Many contracts do not have any min. period. They just define the rules for termination. In most cases, a 3-month notice is required and, depending on the local rules, only specific dates for moving out are ok. For example, in Basel, usually end of any month is fine, except of December. In Zug, end of March, June or September are the "norm".

Some contracts, however, do include a min. rental period and this would be explicitly stated in the contract.

So, it is important to read the contract and understand the terms.

If you need to move out at a different point of time than allowed by the contract (or with a shorter notice period), you would need to find a replacement tenant to take over the contract under the same conditions.

There are many threads around, discussing the replacement tenant topic.

4

10 months is tricky, especially for unfurnished. Generally there is a minimum stay. But you might get lucky and find something which will be renovated or knocked down so the rental period is limited.

What about a furnished place?

Furnished rentals have shorter minimum stays and while expensive you don’t have a lot of the hassles associated with unfurnished. Sometimes someone wants to sublet their place while they travel or work abroad but they intend to return.

Sometimes there are people with a room in a shared flat and there may be more flexibility, But sharing is not for everyone.

You might have some luck on this website. https://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/home…es/switzerland

Another option is to put up a notice in a grocery store near the area where you want to live.

Worst case you sign a lease for an unfurnished apartment but give notice to move. Just be very careful to understand when you can first give notice. Of course you will need to find someone to take over your lease. Honestly, for a 10 month stay this is a lot of hassle and really doesn’t make sense.

5

I’d point out that in Fribourg canton the “official” moving months are only end of March and end of September, i.e. 6 months’ notice might be needed. Obviously it will depend on your rental contract which might state differently, but do be aware and check to make sure how far ahead you may need to give notice when you want to move out.