Hi,

I got an apartment in Zurich in April 2015 which is good but unfortunately it is 4th floor without lift ( Since it is elevated apartment it can be considered as 5th floor). I finalized that time as we stayed in serviced apartment . Since we faced difficulties to climb up with my little son (4 years old) I started to search for another apartment and now I got one where move in date is 1st Jan 2016.

This are the wording as per the contract
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Mietdauer

Das Mietverhältnis beginnt am 01.04.2015 und kann erstmals mit wirkung auf 31.03.2016 gekündigt werden.

Kündigung

Eine ordentliche Kündigung ist unter Einhaltung einer 3-monatigen Kündigung auf jedes Monatsende ausser Dezember möglich .Das mietobject kann nicht auf den 31.December vorzeitig zurückgegeben werden.

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Now my doubt is

1. Is it possible for me give notice effective 1st Nov and vacate the apartment by 31-Jan-2016 ?
   
2. Suppose if I gave around 5 prospective tenant file by now to my agency then is it possible for me to vacate by 31 December 2015.

Can any one please help to understand the procedure here ? or any idea ?

thanks in advance

1) no, but I think you knew the answer.

2) you need to supply 1 person who will sign a contract, this person needs to be solvent & wants to take over the apartment. Just supplying 5 prospective tenants does not guarantee anything.

The first chance to give notice is to the end of March 2016 and you must do this at least 3 months in advance.

If you want to move out sooner then you need to find someone to take over your rental contract. If you do not find anyone suitable, you are responsible for the rent until the end of March.

Finding someone to rent an apartment on the 4th floor without a lift could be a challenge though for some people this is not an issue.

You will have to find someone to take over the apartment under the exact currrent conditions of your contract, meaning that they must accept the condition regarding notice which you are currently facing.

See this thread: http://www.englishforum.ch/housing-g...ent-lease.html, especially post #15.

In my experience it is quite easy to find another tenant to take over your apartment.


Just advertise it on a free site (e.g. anibis) and see how many visitors you get. I'm sure you'll find a few people willing to take over your contract.

Your worst case scenario is that you resign from the apartment as per the first date with the correct notice (registered letter 3 months or more before) and end up paying for two places until the end of that contracted period.

So get advertising now for a new tenant and maybe even talk to the agency, they might even know of people interested.

Get plenty of good pictures and a plan of the apartment and get advertising. Immediately. Here, Homescout, etc. You may want to pay for an advert in the common sites because it's cheap compared to 3 months of rent.

Start by saying where the apartment is too.....

Worst case scenario is that you are on the hook for double rent for 3 months. However, if you were approved for your new flat taking into consideration that you have not given notice on the old one, the new landlord/owner may think you will find someone quite easily to take over your contract.


The stairs and no lift may be a non issue. The location, the apartment itself and the rent amount are what really matters.

Thanks a lot for the points and it is well said, I am planning to post here as well as other places.

Apartment is 6 Min in bus no 75 from Oerlikon Nord. I think location wont be a problem.

I have seen ads with photos that make a place look really unappealing so please do consider the importance of photos in generating interest. Of course if you took photos of the apartment when it was empty you can use those. Few people have such photos but the agency might so do ask them for any. I have taken such photos for clients before they move in because you never know when you might need photos. Many people, myself included, are uncomfortable with sharing photos of their home as they feel these are personal.

Best of luck with finding someone to take over your lease.

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