We have a two year contract on the house we rent out - rented directly with the landlords. The two years will be up in August. We were approached last week by the landlords and asked how long were we staying in Switzerland, how long would we be staying in the house and what we wanted to do about signing up for another two years.

I may have got this completely wrong but I was under the impression that once the initial period was up the contract was rolling. I am concerned on two levels - one that they'll use it as an opportunity to raise the rent - can they legally do this? Secondly - we don't want to move this summer but will more than likely want to within a year of August 2012 and therefore do not want to tie myself in for another two years...

Any advice or anyone know of anywhere I can go for advice...mein deutsch is nicht so gut...

For less than CHF100 a year, you might want to enlist the assistance of the Tenants Association:

http://www.mieterverband.ch/zh_top.0.html

Mieterverband Zürich

They also communicate in English.

Are they just for Kanton Zurich? We're based in Aargau...

I think you have got it wrong. What does this mean:

Rolling where?

It's a 2 year contract. Your landlord has been good enough to sound you out in very good time before the end of the contract. A further contract should be at the same rate or lower is the rental basis rate is now lower.

I'm sure your landlord are reasonable people and would be pleased to discuss a new/extended contract. Just talk to them...

MV for Aargau

http://www.mieterverband.ch/ag_top.0.html

Why don't you ask your landlord whether he would be prepared to extend the contract on an open end basis, now that you will have been in it for 2 years? This will give you the regular three month notice period to the end of March, June and September. He may well agree if you tell him that you are uncertain how much longer you will be around.

On question is also whether you had a fixed two year term or whether the contract was a minimum two year term?