Hi - anyone know what is the 'norm' for rent increases in the Geneva area. I have get a letter saying that my rent will go up by 15%, and I have 30 days in which to agree or contest. Firstly - is this excessive. Secondly - how complex, expensive etc is the conciliation process?
Thanks.

Yes very excessive unless they have made improvements within the year. Basically rent does not go up in Switzerland and if it does then you are talking 1 or 2%. I would suggest you quickly go along to the local renters association and talk to them. They would happily represent you if you pay the annual fees...

In my opinion it's also very high increase. I presume that nothing changed for better in the standard of the apartment (and can hardly imagine any situation of such improvement with someone living there). Such situations sometimes occur during the changing of tenants - when for example the owner decides to fully refurbish the place.
I would contact ASLOCA (I'm not sure if I checked it correctly). For the small membership fee they offer great assistance in such cases.

I think that such increase was proposed - as there is just a slight chance that you wouldn't know what to do, and you would accept it...

It can also be that they've made improvements some time in the past, and there was a covenant that the rent would stay fixed during the next n years after which it could go up.

They have given me 30 days from Feb 14th to agree or not with the increase, but then I have only until end Feb to formally give notice if I want to leave at the end of my rent 'year' (else I am in the game of having to find someone else with 4 months notice etc). DO you know anything about what happens with this 'overlap' of timings - can I postpone the notice period while I go thru conciliation re. the rent?
Thanks.

If there is a rent increase that is not related to variable rates ie Mortgage interest rates you can always get out of the contract. By disputing this you are effectively telling them you will not accept the increase and if they enforce it you reserve your right to leave... If that was not the case every landlord could advertise their property for CHF 100 per month and then increase it to 1000 as soon as there was no way our for the renter...

If it's a normal situation then 15% is off the roof! My rent increased recently and it was by .5% People who have been living in my building for longer than me are paying CHF 300-400 less for 1-2 extra rooms So basically the rent goes up every time new people move in The ones who have been here ages are still paying 2500BC level rent

My rent has also been increased by roughly 10% after just one year. You will probably find a reference in the letter from the landlord mentioning the increased interest rate (3% to 3.5% for example) and then index adjustments on top and/ or additional upward adjustments for heating or so.

According to my knowledge there is not much you can do about it, but exercise the option to move out - unless there is a formal requirement the landlord might not have met.

a bit off the topic but in my hometown of Perth all rents have gone up by 20 per cent last year, and they just keep going up......

I discussed this thread topic with someone who has this subject in their studies at Varsity here. 15% is a highly illegal increase. Rent may only be increased if the lease is for not less than 3 years. Rent may be increased only to cover any increased costs incurred to the landlord ... ie. mortgage rates, utility costs, inflation, etc. And this application to increase the rent must be on the standard recognised form supplied by the local Gemeinder.

Rental properties are not allowed to be a form of income to the owner.... he/she may only recuperate costs.

The only other reason to increase the rent would be if that particular property falls way below the rentals of the surrounding properties and is of similar value.

On supplying this information, my informant referred to notebooks and lecture papers.

Without costing you anything you may make enquiries at your local gemeinder whether the document served on you is legal, and you may request an investigation.