Hi,

Due to the difficulty getting a flat in Zurich, I have heard stories about the old tenant making it a condition of the lease for the new tenant to purchase their furtniture, often for "as new" or higher prices.

Has anyone else heard about this? I am hoping to sell my furniture to the next tenant, but am not sure if this is common practice or how much is reasonable to request.

Thanks for any advice

Just to be clear, you've heard of departing tenants trying to rip off people who are desperate for somewhere to live and would like to whether it's ok to do the same?

You can certainly offer to sell your furniture to a new tenant but you can't force them to buy it and you certainly can't 'make it a condition of the lease' when you are not a participant in the contract. If you are the 'gatekeeper' to the applications going to the landlord you could filter out the ones who say they don't want the furniture, but it they are sent direct to the landlord you have no control. And even if someone says up front that they're really keen to buy it, once they have signed the contract they might change their mind. Suggest you make your asking price very reasonable to maximise your chances of a sale...

[FYI I've sold furniture to a subsequent tenant at reasonable prices and entirely optional, and I've been subject to pressure to buy second hand furniture at high prices from the previous occupant... although in that case he was the landlord so had all the control.]

It is not done often, and when it is, usually there are complications such as the new tenant doesn't end up paying, the landlord/property manager was never informed and never approved the deal, and the apartment cannot be properly cleaned as it is not empty.

When I moved in an empty flat without any furniture in Switzerland - it would have been an advantage to take over some items from the previous tenant.
I could have saved a lot of time finding all the stuff required and suitable.

Saved time, yes, money, maybe not. At some point if you move out and take that furniture with you the empty apartment reveals what was concealed by furniture at your incoming inspection. Then you will be forced to pay for damages.

Never thought about this topic so much in detail.
But to bring the right and honest people (tenants) together it could become a win/win situation.

We did have to move all the furniture out of the apartment for cleaning - stored it all in the cellar and a couple of large pieces in the corridor for 2 days while the cleaning and landlord inspection was done. The cleaners would not clean if any furniture was there and the landlord required an empty apartment too.

We told the landlord what we were doing, the new tenants were great and got a good deal on lots of furniture and less hassle then buying themselves, and we got some cash for furniture that would have been a big pain to try and move or sell separately, so everyone was a winner. It's usually when you start to try and fleece people - by "making it a condition" and asking for "as new or higher prices" that you have problems.

Hi everyone, thanks for the info and advice. I'm definitely not trying to dodge anyone, its just that I had heard of this many times and was wondering what it was all about. Personally I would have seen it as a bonus to buy the previous tenants furniture (at a reasonable price) to avoid the IKEA runs and transporting second hand stuff without a car

Hopefully the next tenant is willing to purchase my furniture and it will be a win-win for both.

I bought the furniture at 50% of new price, which was equivalent to a months rent.

Quite reasonable price for decent second hand furniture without the hassle of shopping and transport.

I wouldn't've paid 'as new' price for 2nd hand

And the furniture had all been moved to the middle of the room to allow a proper inspection, and any missed bits (like the scratch under the sofa) were well within the 1 month informing deadline.

I sold all my furniture to the new tenant, it was Ikea furniture, less than a year, and I sold it 50% without taking into account delivery costs.
but it was a win win situation, I could leave the flat inmediately, she received a complete flat inmediately

My experience was different. The old tenant asked me to buy her furniture. Originally I thought it was a good idea (no hassle to go and get some new one etc etc). When she sent me the list with the prices I fell off my chair. Basically she was selling her old furniture as new plus adding some extra cost as this, according to her, save me the hassle to go and get some new ones. I politely decline...

Hi all,

I have had a few enquiries and viewings if my flat, and so far everyone is happy to buy the furniture. I have taken the advice from the forum and asked for 50% of the purchase price, and the feedback has been that this is fair and reasonable and a win-win for both parties involved as the new tenant gets a completely furnished flat.

We will of course make sure it is all above board and the landlord is aware of everything.

Cheers
Ashlee