FYI: Membership in the Mieterverband (roughly translated as the Tenants Association) is free till the end of the year with a 2007 membership. The Mieterverband offers renters, throughout Switzerland, free legal counsel on renters issues, questions and disputes (and the dreaded apt hand-off inspection), plus also lobbies on the political front for renters concerns, something we all benefit from. One example of that would be that they are trying to combat the current trend of building-renovations that are turning reasonably priced apt buildings into luxury apt., and thus the building owners can hike up the rental price tremendously. I know a retired couple whose rent just went up from something like 2400 to 3200 per month, and most of the renovations made the apt less livable than before – they ended up having to leave Zurich because they couldn't find an equivalent priced apt. The Mieterverband has helped me a number of times and I can only recommend having a membership for a place to ask questions, get advice and get help if the need arises, or just support their work.

www.mieterverband.ch

This seems a very worthy organisation. Is this something you must join (with subscription ?), or is an agency funded in another way ? Its not clear to me.
dave

BTW, I think they have a cooling off period of 1 month, before you can make a complaint or ask for help.
So in effect you have only december to complain, and it is holiday time by then.


HAT

PS: I once joined but later quit. Forgot why.

I don't think that is the case. They offer legal advice to non-members, for a fee, and then it is up to you to decide to either pay the non-member fee or join on the spot (which usually ended up being less costly plus you get all the membership benefits).

I'll try to answer your questions. What I know is that they are non-profit, a membership costs about 85 CHF / year and that they also get donations. I am not sure if they get any money from anywhere else.

I know Ihave had to use them several times when I was being taken advantage of by a the mang. office. They let me know my rights and helped me write a eloquent, convincing letter to the mang. agency in legalese German. I also plan to have them with me when I move out of my apt for the dreaded 'inspection'.

How well can the Mieterverband assist foreigners who do not speak the local language well? That is - will Mieterverband Zürich communicate only in German (which I'll get used to, but in times of trouble may still be difficult) or do they have English speakers?

Can they provide legal assistance too?

Asloca, the French speaking equivalent certainly do have limited English speakers on their staff. U usually end up waiting a little longer to see them as they are obviously in high demand.

Good Luck