Our lease requires that we have each of the apartment's appliances checked by a technician at the end of the lease by a service technician. Does anyone know of a service technician in the Zurich area who can check Siemens, Zug and Fim appliances or else any have any leads on who I can call to find such a technician? The Landlord said we could contact each of the three suppliers separately and get separate technician to check the appliances. Seems a bit expensive as that means we would have to pay three call out fees instead of one.

Any ideas?

In ZH, maybe EKZ-Eltop
http://www.ekz.ch/internet/ekz/de/el...e/service.html

The conclusion is there is no other option but to get a representative from the manufacturer. Checking of the fridge, cooktop, dishwasher, microwave and oven by Siemens set us back 250 chf. We expect V-Zug will charge us something similar for the other items.

Even though it is not a requirement in many lease contracts, the Siemens guy did say that it is become more common.

Speaking with the handover agent, he suggested that it is questionable (has not been challenged in court) whether the cost should be borne by the tenant as the landlord is supposed to maintain the appliances. We were not however game to test the theory and so did not send the bill to the landlord.

Ado

I've been here over 22 years now and have lived in a total of 8 different apartments but never once was required to have a certified "technician" check any appliances. Normally whoever was doing the handover inspection was able to see that they were obviously working.

You have about 14 days after you move in to report any undiscovered defects, so why do landlords insist on the technician? I also saw a clause ensuring professional cleaning of the dishwasher. Another waste of money, you can easily remove the filter and check it is clean.

Just to be clear, in the special conditions section of our lease, it was explicitly stated that when we leave the apartment, all electronic appliances must be checked by a service technician. As far as I am aware this is an unusual ( but on the increase) condition that most people would not encounter. I hope my experience might help someone.

In my experience it's not that unusual but usually only concerns the dishwasher and washer/dryer. It's in many of my client's contracts. But when you moved in you should have asked to see a copy of the check that was done by the outgoing tenant.

The grey area is when the machines are under warranty or have an existing service contract.