Hello,
I lost the keys (I have 3 identical keys I lost one of them) for my flat outside of Switzerland during a vocation. Do you know how much roughly the agency will charge me for this?
Thanks!

Roughly CHF600 per key.
However your liability insurance should cover it.

My god! 600 CHF per key?? no kidding?! it is extremely expensive!

That price is to replace all the keys in your block.

I ordered one spare secure key from the landlord, and the cost price was CHF 55,-- (No added profit)

The thing is they often have to reprogramme not only your lock but also other locks in the appartment building. The cost of replacement should be in your contract.

What do you mean by 'I ordered a spare key for 55 CHF'? Is it legal?
Why will they need to replace all the keys in my block?

Thanks!

Why is it related to other locks and not only mine?
Can the fact that I have lost it in a different continent help?

Because your house key is probably the same as for the front door, no?

If you lost the building's front door key, or your apartment key actually works on this door, this lock will have to be changed, and a new key for all tenants done at around 50CHF per key, for security reasons.

You might have lost it in another continent, and chances of that key being used to break into your building almost null, but security is important, even if just for peace of mind.

It's really going to depend on what type of key it was, if it's one of the new style Kabu ones (lots of circular dents instead of teeth) it could be expensive as these are often multi-task keys and open not only your front door but also the bin room, garage, etc. in your building. Hence the huge cost of replacing it as sometimes these locks need to be changed and other tenants supplied with new keys for these areas.
There are older Kabu keys (also with dents) that aren't as expensive to replace. If it's a key that only opens your front door it might just be a question of getting a new one cut.... so 20-60 francs depending on the blank.

The only way to be sure is to contact your landlord or agency.

Yes.

I recently ordered 3 spare keys, CHF 43 each plus CHF 12 shipping and another CHF 11 VAT.

Tom

A friend of mine lost a key while being in a different country. She could simply make a copy and it didn't cost much. But the landlord was very understanding.

If you have to pay for the whole procedure and replace the key from your flat and the front door then do not agree on the key service provider that your landlord offers to you. Go to your local key replacement service and ask them for an estimate. When we lost a key our agency was asking for 800 CHF for replacement. But we went to the local service provider and got it done for 400 CHF.

I got a set of key for 80 CHF. Not Swiss keys, - couple of multilevel safety keys, a Ford key and an ABUS bicycle lock key - and not in Switzerland, of course...

If you know someone who can cut keys, ask him to do it for you. If the key has no magnet inlet, duplication depends only the willingness of the person...

However that is the gray way of doing things - at least here. If you have liability insurance, go to the landlord...

Had to pay 100.- for one key: as long as you still have one key, they have the reference (written on the key itself) and don't have to replace the lock and all...

OK, I double checked as it was a friends bill.

Cost was CHF568.
The charge was brought by the agency when he returned the apartment with a key missing.
That was for two cylinders to be replaced and 'assembly work' and new 5 keys.
He had a maisonette with private entrance, he lost one key but the key could open the communal areas (garage, bin store).

He obviously went to Mr Minit first for a replacement but they were having none of it. New style Kabu key.

How can I do it? Will these keys look similar to the ones I have?

I wish I could do it? So it possible to make a copy of the keys that will look exactly as the orginal ones?

Actually any key used in an apartment building is registered. If a key is registered this means it is illegal to copy this key. Thus the answer to your question is probably no. (It is however possible that there exist (criminal) key makers who would do this).

Not necessarily. Keys from newer buildings are usually registered (e.g. KABA STAR) but I used to live in an apartment building that was built in the sixties where we had unregistered KABA 8 keys. I could go to any locksmith and have him make as many copies as I wanted. It depends on the brand and type of key you have.

So the best thing Vlad can do is go into Mr Minit or any locksmith and ask for a copy of an existing key, then he knows where he stands.

In any case, lost keys and the charge will be covered by your insurance (Personal liability usually attached to your household insurance).

It's my understanding that if your keys were stolen from you, they'll be covered. If you just misplaced them, the insurance company will say it's your fault and won't cover.