Just want to share my experience with the payment of my rent deposit.

When I entered the apartment 2,5 years ago, I paid 1500 CHF rent deposit which my landlady put in the Raiffeisen Lägern-Baregg Bank as a rent deposit account (Mietkaution Sparkonto) where a small interest is given annually. As of Dec 2006, the saldo is ~1507 CHF.

Last month I moved out from the apartment. After a smooth apartment handover with my landlady, we signed the handover protocol stating that no deduction on the rent deposit was needed because the apartment was handed over in a good condition. So I expected to receive the full 1500 CHF + interest.

This week the Raiffeisen Bank transferred only ~1463 CHF to my account. I called them. They said they charge 50 CHF fee for closing such an account. After some argument, they finally told me that if I'm not happy with this, I should write a complain letter to the bank management.

I informed my ex-landlady about this. She didn't know that this bank (BTW, she has a private account at this bank as well) charge such a fee to close a rent deposit account.

Anyway, I'm still a bit upset with the bank. Seems like they are making good money on the cost of their customer. 50 CHF for closing such an account. For me that's dirty business.

On the other hand, you should be happy that nothing was deducted from your deposit by the landlady. You are 1 lucky tenant

Well, I know I didn't cause any unusual damage to the property and I paid 600 CHF for the cleaning company to ensure that my landlady is happy with the handover. I'm quite happy with my landlady. I'm not happy with the way the bank charged 50 CHF for closing the deposit account.

The trick is to remove the money and get the balance to zero - then close it...

Its hardly a huge amount of money, and your complaint will probably have the charge allocated as "account fee". So put it down to experience unless the value of your time to sort it out is less than 50CHF, and assuming "MD" doesnt stand for minidisk, then I hope it is.

dave

I think this trick would work if it's a regular private account. Since it's a rental deposit account, any change to it needs the signature of my landlady and myself. As soon as the apt. handover is done, the bank received a copy of the handover protocol, close and transfer the money to my private account.

Dont even put a deposit down. Pay www.swisscaution.ch 50chf a year instead. Ok you still loose your 50sfr but you never put down a penny for deposit. It is the perfect solution. That way you wont be so annoyed and the deposit money you can keep to buy furniture

Are you sure that's how it works? I thought the fee for swisskaution is calculated as a percentage of what your rent will be, and you indeed don't get that service fee back. You do put money for a deposit down, at least indirectly and eventually, because you pay swisskaution a monthly fee in lieu of plunking the entire deposit down ahead of time.

I just checked the fees posted by the Raiffeisen Lägern-Baregg Bank, and they do indeed charge CHF 50.- for closing a Mietkautionskonto.

https://www.raiffeisen.ch/raiffeisen...rif_010707.pdf

I guess they justify the higher costs by having to examine both signatures, i.e. of the lessor and lessee before paying out the money.

Just keep sending them letters asking spurious questions and they are obliged to answer. It won't met your Sfr50.-- back but at least you will know it has been well spent on secretaries and mid level managers answering your questions. I would plan an initial campaign of 20 letters with the last letter giving explanations as to why you asked so many questions.

You are quite right - it can and usually does cost several hundred CHF per year. It is essentially and insurance policy. Still not a bad option though.

To be honest I am more than happy with swisscaution. When I moved out of the old place I got my 3500 back and went on a shopping spree for furniture for the new place. With the yearly pay of 50 to however much it is for me it is worth it and I dont notice it.

Do anyone know if some banks take less than the 50CHF for this account.

I have PostFinance but I can not find anything on their page - maybe some banks do not even run this "service"