Hi guys,

Really hoping somebody can help me out with this rather silly and actually very avoidable problem.

A friend and myself just recently decided to get a flat together. Basically to save some of the costs of living by ourselves. We quickly found a very nice and affordable appartment and because of how perfect it actually is we quickly applied and to our "luck" ended up signing a contract for it.

Now comes the "but". While we thorougly discussed how we imagined this working in terms of how long I would be staying (I already made it clear that I wouldn't stay much longer than a year), splitting costs and any obvious technicalities, only after the contract was signed by both of us did we realise we missed out an important detail: can we even live with eachother?? :P

I personally see this turning into a nightmare. I'm very much a loner and actually see myself much better living on my own than having to share. This and we've got completely different tastes from the art I'd be bringing with me to the food we eat. I've outted my concerns with him already and the question now is this:

How would we go about changing the contract before we've even moved in (in June only), provided we've found someone who can replace me? What sort of legal complications would this involve? What sort of expenses should I come to expect?

Any advise would be very helpful.

Cheers.

Talking about nearby experience in Bern,

If you have a replacement already - this can easily be done by writing a letter or visiting the tanent, they simply replace your name by the new renter name and have both of them (the new renter and your colleague) signing it.

This hopefuly doesn't cost any charges as long as the tanent accepts the new renter.

One point here they check carefully - if the new renter's rent is more than 1/3 of his monthly income, they might be hesitant, if 2/3 they possibly refuse.

If there was no replacement, the tanent is entitled to claim some money from you "might be written somewhere between the lines of the contract or might be taken from the advance payment that you might have already paid.

Basically need to find a replacement all parties I.e. Your friend and landlord are happy with.

Unsure where you stand in the meantime. I believe, unless landlord agrees otherwise, you'll be contractually obliged to pay your share, at least while you serve a typically 3 month notice. Even then, if no suitable replacement is found and your friend doesn't want to consider another option or pay 100% on his own, you may still be liable. Atleast that's how I understand the situation with my co-tenant.

Yet you've come to this decision before you even go ahead and start the share? I can't help thinking you're overcomplicating the whole thing. I've lived in many shared houses in my time and more often than not have been totally incompatible with my housemates, yet it has always worked out OK. You just have to give and take a little, it is only for a year after all.

I was going to say the same as Paddy.

Seriously just move in. Don't hang any pictures on the walls, and cook and eat separately.

Learning tolerance is a good thing.

You've never had to do the Swiss military, have you? I assume you've got your own room so make that your haven. After all, it's only a year.

You're flat-sharing, you're not setting up home together. You don't have to eat together, socialise together, hang out together, or do anything together if you don't want to. He is basically your neighbour, so the only problem will be if you start making a lot of noise or taking showers at midnight and annoying each other.

Crikey OP, heaven forbid you ever move in with a woman...

Actually it makes things easier, you don't get to put up your own art or cook what you want