In July 2022 we agreed the sale of one of our properties with the takeover scheduled for September 1st.

Deposit was paid to our notary (we each used the same one) contracts signed and on Sep. 1st the money arrived with the lawyer and we handed the keys to the agent and the new owners.

Now the fun started. I expected my money a few days later, but, as is normal, only when the deed is actually registered do I get the loot! Except the office of deeds had a backlog of work due to - holidays / covid!!/ WFH / illness. I was told at least 6 weeks. However, my wife knew the head of the department who made a suggestion to speed matters up. This was passed to the notary who literally shouted at me as to who do I think I am, how dare I go direct and she knows what she does after 25 years of experience etc.

So here I am, no flat, no rental income, no money and still having to pay interest on the mortgage.

Finally, October 5th deed was registered, the bank was paid first, then 3 days later I received the balance less 4% of the sale price which was given to the taxman while the property tax was calculated.

Not until January 2nd do we get an email to say the tax has been calculated and the balance will be repaid after 30 days, to give us time to appeal the decision. On the phone to the taxman to say we accept his ruling and he can pay me out, and now this is unbelievable, he replied, "we're very busy at the moment, so it will be late March before we can refund you"! I'm incredulous. Imagine I used that excuse not to pay my bills?

Not a moan of sorts, but just to write how it goes here and to see if anyone has similar experiences in Ticino or other cantons?

Crazy. I vote for patience and understanding when there is something complex to process and offices are overloaded, but I would not accept this kind of delay when all the paperwork is done.

Probably there is nothing more you can do... Assuming they are in good faith, they may be really understaffed and that won't change before late March even if you complain with the highest authorities.

Thanks for sharing, hope you get all that's due ASAP.

Swiss Bureaucracy - when they want something for you it has to be NOW! When you want something from them, there is zero urgency!