Wincasa is terrible. We have not had hot water or heat for a week now. They keep bringing in the same people to fix it, so it works for about an hour or two a day and then when we wake up in the morning to cold showers and no heat. As I write this I am wearing the thickest sweater I have. The amazing thing is, this problem with heat and hot water has been going on since March and it is now almost November. They have done nothing to really solve what is obviously a bigger problem and have not apologized or anything. Do not rent from them if you can help it. Unless you love cold showers.

Our housing expert says we can't just not pay the rent, all the rights we have are to just to keep calling and writing Wincasa emails. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know...we are tired of paying for non-existent basic housing rights!!

In the interests of balance, I know many people that rent through Wincasa and have no problems whatsoever. However : start by sending registered letter defining history of issues; get some advice and join mieteverband asap.


dave

Your housing expert is probably not that expert... all post should be in writing and send per registered mail. You should let them know that failing action from their side by a reasonable time-frame, you will pay the rent into a consigned account. You are further entitled to a reduction in rent accounting for the deficiencies.

Strikes me as odd that you've waited for 7 months though...

Thanks for the advice. Can I write the letter in English? While I can write a basic letter in German, it is very difficult to express exactly what I want that way.

I used to rent from Wincasa and had no problems at all. I suggest writing all correspondence in German, get a Swiss friend to help you with this.

From what I know, all these property management companies (régies) are the same. Everything takes ages to resolve and you need to write to them all the time and push them to do it for you. You can write in English, they will understand. And yes, you can not stop paying the rent, but you can do something called 'consignation de loyer' (I know only the French term because I live in Geneva). It basically means that you warn the company in writing (registered mail for all correspondence is imperative) that you will stop paying the rent to them and transfer the money to the court (Tribunal des Baux et Loyers) until they resolve the problem. This means putting pressure on them to resolve the problem but also means that you have to go to court to get damages (you can get discount for the period during which there was no hot water). If you are ready to do this, you need to get yourself a lawyer. Or you can go to ASLOCA (tenants' association), but bear in mind that they are also a political organisation and they may have here their own axe to grind (is that a correct expression?)

I just fired off an electronic payment for my Mietkaution a couple of minutes ago!!

Believe me, Livit ain't much better. They left us stranded for several days in a row without hot water - three times in the last 5 months. Hauswart can't be reached, Livit can't be reached, etc.

Why can't management companies with this many properties at least have a 24 hr hotline when the s... hits the fan on a Friday after 4 PM?

Have had totally mixed experiences with Wincasa. S'pose it depends on who you get on the telephone. We've just had our flat re-done (all walls painted, parkett flooring re-done). Total cost: Fr. 10.5K, our contribution Fr. 2.6K, because we've lived there 14 years. At the same time, our fridge went on permanent strike, so they brought in a spanking luvely new one within the week. Our washing machine and tumbler are next on the list, but unfortunately, they're too sturdy to break down in the near future. So far this year, only good things!

[quote=möpp;128964] We've just had our flat re-done (all walls painted, parkett flooring re-done). Total cost: Fr. 10.5K, our contribution Fr. 2.6K, because we've lived there 14 years.quote]
Hi there, I´m not sure what you mean. You are just renting but you had to pay for some of the renovations yourself . I thought, particularly after years and years of renting that payment for these sorts of renovations (aka wear-and-tear) was the responsibility of the owner!

First time on here as a result of Wincasa, have left Geneva and Wincasa is playing around on paying back the deposit, would be grateful if anyone has any suggestions. I lived in a block which they managed for 2.5 years. They made a mistake a the start and I was able to challenge the rent and got money back from them. Then, when it was time to leave, at the check-out, they noted a couple of things which my agent accepted and both parties signed the check-out inventory, over a month later Wincasa is claiming that the new tenants have spotted scratches on the floor and Wincasa has gone ahead and got it repaired (without informing my agent) and expects me to pay the 3,000 CHF, even though it was never raised at the check out or for 5 weeks after (they say the new tenants told them 4 weeks after I left and the new tenants had moved in). I thought that when the check-out was done then that was it, whatever was agreed at the inspection was the final position. Is that correct or can Wincasa rob me like this? If I am right is there anyone I can complain to (other than trying to go through Alsoca as I am outside of the country? thanks in advance for your thoughts and guidance.

If it wasn't indicated on the "Etats de Lieux" (bit of paper everybody signs when you leave or enter a flat) then no you do not pay. Certainly not after 5 weeks. Who says it wasn't the new tennants moving furniture that caused the scratches. I suggest you politely say to Wincasa, which bit of "p*ss off" don't you understand and if my deposit isn't credited to my account withing 5 working days then i give entire file to my lawyer and you, Wincasa can handle with the lawyer, including his bill.

Article 267a of the Swiss Code of Obligations says (my translation paraphrased, not the official one!):

1) When the property is given back the landlord (or agent) must check it for damage and/or defects and report them immediately.
2) If the landlord fails to do so he/she loses all right to any claims, except if the defect/damage was such that it would not have been spotted during a normal examination (i.e. hidden defect)
3) Should the landlord find such hidden defects the tenant should be notified immediately.

So, in view of the above I would say that scratches on the floor can hardly be considered hidden defects. However, going to a lawyer immediately is the pricey option...

Write a registered letter explaining that the landlord has no claim (given the law mentioned above) and that you give them a week to return your deposit. Failing that you will pass the matter on to the "Commission de conciliation en matière de baux et loyers" as it is called in Geneva. You would have to contact them to find out what the procedure is in Geneva, but it is free of charge and you do not need a lawyer to represent you.

If you are a member of ASLOCA (www.asloca.ch), they will also give you some assistance.

Thank you for the replies above. I will pass this onto my relocation agent and ask him to action. Will let you know how it went.

Just to give you update. Wincasa saw the light (or more likely realised I would not be bullied!) and have backed off on the issue of "marks they claim I left behind, which came to light 5 weeks after I had checked out. One more question as you lot have been so helpful. I needed to have a toliet role holder (the spare one) replaced along with a key to the front door (also opened the main door downstairs, the mailbox, the garage and the cage downstairs). does anyone have a ball park figure for these two items 9I have been told that the key will cost about 1,000 CHF. Thanks

I can't comment on the cost except that 1000 SFr for a toilet holder and a set of keys appears extortionately high. The keys ARE expensive, however it will not be necessary to change all the cylinders/keys in the building.

Do you have liability insurance (you should have theoretically.....). If you do, you may find that this will cover these costs (minus the deductible).

Just to give you an update on my troubles with Wincasa. Week 11 after I left I got fed up and e-mailed the CEO of Wincasa, setting out the facts (including them trying to get money for the scratches even though they weren't entitled to it). I further pointed out that Wincasa had already paid the cost of the keys so them withholding the invoices for me to pay them just meant that Wincasa was out of pocket. Within 24 hours everything was sorted out and I should have my deposit back on Monday. Moral of the story...its true...its better to deal with the organ grinder!!

should have read this post earlier.. problems all way long with wincasa..that really sucks. i will try to contact someone...
http://www.facebook.com/wincasa.ch