In Switzerland, the termination of a lease can be done at the expiration date as long as the tenant respects the required notice period. But what should the tenant do if they wish to leave the property before the end of the lease? Should the tenant continue paying rent to the landlord? Here are the answers.
When a tenant wants to leave their property and terminate the rental agreement, they must inquire about the expiration date to know the end of the lease. Using an end-of-lease calculator helps determine the latest date to send the termination letter. However, it's not always possible to wait several months, for example, when finding employment in another city. The tenant is expected to pay rent until the expiration of the rental agreement, even if they have decided to move out. However, it is possible to anticipate the termination of the lease in Switzerland by finding a replacement tenant. Before that, it is necessary to send an early termination letter. This letter must be sent by registered mail and signed by all tenants, including married couples. The tenant must then commit to finding someone to take over the lease, which is the only solution to no longer be liable for the rent.
To leave the rented apartment without continuing to pay rent, the tenant must find a replacement tenant themselves. It's not enough to propose a candidate to the landlord. The replacement tenant must agree to assume the conditions of the rental agreement, particularly regarding rent and the end date of the lease. Additionally, the candidate must be financially solvent, meaning their income must be at least three times higher than the rent amount. They should also not have any uncontested debt enforcement proceedings against them. Other reasons for the landlord to refuse include overcrowding of the apartment or engaging in activities that may disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood.
The tenant must take on the role of a real estate agent and search for the ideal candidate themselves. They can create an account on SherlockHomes and write an advertisement specifying that it is a lease transfer with associated conditions: rent, end of lease, specific details, etc. Add some photos and publish the ad. Not only is the ad free on the website, but SherlockHomes also extensively distributes it on other specialized platforms. This is the best way to attract multiple rental candidates. Being able to offer several applications to the landlord allows them to choose the most suitable candidates. Once the final inspection is completed and the lease transfer is formalized, you will have reached the end of the lease and will no longer be obligated to pay rent until the original expiration date.
Please note that this article may not cover all aspects and does not hold the author responsible.
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