During the discussion of [https://www.reddit.com/r/Switzerland/comments/wygeu0/can\_my\_verwaltung\_do\_this/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Switzerland/comments/wygeu0/can_my_verwaltung_do_this/) I had the impression, that many people are not aware about the “lease termination” rules in Switzerland. So here is an attempt to clarify this.
The bottom line: If a landlord wants to terminate a lease with a tenant, he/she has to follow some rules (nice overview [here](https://schweizer-mietrecht.ch/mietvertrag-richtig-kuendigen/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmdGYBhDRARIsABmSEeOF6eW5olm1KnqbWmr43PPN9UWTXiQHkXCUDNqI-mctqBYcWk1HCEwaAgqEEALw_wcB)) such as a proper notice period, sending it by registered mail to both partner, etc. A reason is not required.
There surely are some clauses, which may invalidate the termination, but I think no Vermieter on earth is so stupid to fall for these. So: If you receive a lease termination in Switzerland the only thing left is to go to the Schlichtungsamt and obtain an extension. The length of an extension depends on various reasons: E.g. How easy is it for you to find something comparable? Do you have physical disabilities? Etc. This doesn’t change the fact that you have to move out. Period.
As a personal side note: I had my lease terminated for no reason. The landlord just wanted us out. We didn’t know about all these things above and had to find out the hard (and expensive way). To be on one’s mercy and helpless was very frustrating. The Schlichtungsamt decided in our favor with a maximum extension of 3 years. But the ground was burned.
So my personal tip is: once you receive this termination, try to cope with this drastic change in your life, start looking for a new apartment and get over it. You can’t fight it.
2 comments
Yep, extension is a real thing… But be careful… You might be blacklisted somehow… Nothing official, because it’s illegal. But I always call the previous landlord of potential tenants and if something went wrong, bye bye.
There’s enough potential tenants on the market to get rid of potential complications.
But an extensiom of X years is still a lot, compared to to having to move out in X months. You have time to find something new. If you just had a baby, just lost your job, etc. it helps a lot.