How do I rent out my apartment privately?

Step by step: How to successfully rent out your property privately

The process of renting out an apartment privately can be divided into four logical phases. Each step requires careful consideration.

1. Preparation: Finding the right rental price

Before you place your first ad to rent out your apartment privately , you need to set the price. Many owners make the mistake of simply adding their mortgage interest. That's wrong.

• Market analysis: Anyone wanting to rent out an apartment privately needs to know the market. Compare similar properties in your area on the usual online portals.
• Reference interest rate: In Switzerland, rent is linked to the mortgage reference interest rate. If you want to rent out your apartment privately , the return on investment must not be "abusive".
• Official form: In many cantons (e.g., Zurich, Zug, Geneva), a specific form is required for the initial rent. If you fail to include the correct form when renting out your apartment privately , the tenant can later contest the rent. The goal when renting out an apartment privately is to set a price that is fair market value and covers your costs, without being legally contestable.

2. Marketing: Showcasing your apartment in the best light

To successfully rent out your apartment privately , you need visibility.

• Photos: Bright, uncluttered pictures are a must. Nobody wants to rent a dark, cave-like apartment. If you want to professionally market your apartment privately , hiring a photographer is often worthwhile.
• Text: Describe honestly but attractively. Mention public transport connections, shopping facilities and special features (e.g. "Minergie standard").
• Platforms: In Switzerland, you can hardly avoid the major portals (Homegate, ImmoScout24) if you want to rent out your apartment privately . Social media can also be helpful if you want to rent your apartment privately to friends and family .

3. The viewing and tenant selection

Now things get serious. You'll meet the people who want to live in your property. Choosing the right people is the most critical step when you want to rent out an apartment privately .

• Quantity or quality? It's better to conduct individual viewings. That way you get to know the candidates. Anyone who wants to rent out an apartment privately needs to be able to trust the tenant.
• Credit check: Never rely on first impressions. Always request a current extract from the debt enforcement register. Anyone wishing to rent out their apartment privately must ensure that the rent can be paid. As a rule of thumb: The rent should not exceed one-third of net income.
• References: Ask about the current employer and possibly the previous landlord. If you're sure you want to rent your apartment privately , a quick phone call there is often very informative.

4. The lease agreement: No experiments

You've found the perfect tenant? Congratulations. Now you need a contract. If you 're renting your apartment privately , never write the contract yourself.

• Use templates: Use the standard contracts of the homeowners' association (HEV). These are legally reviewed and up-to-date.
• Security deposit: If you want to rent out your apartment privately , you can demand a security deposit of up to three months' rent. Important: This money must be placed in an escrow account (rental deposit) at a bank, is in the tenant's name, and must never be transferred to your personal account. This is a golden rule if you want to rent out an apartment privately in a reputable manner .

5. The handover: A protocol is mandatory

The final step in being able to rent out your apartment privately is the handover of the keys.

• Defect report: Go through each room with the tenant. Note every scratch in the parquet floor and every dowel hole in the wall.
• Signature: Both parties must sign. This protects you if you want to rent out your apartment privately and discover damage upon move-out. Without a written record, it will be difficult to prove that the damage wasn't already there. Anyone who wants to successfully rent out an apartment privately is meticulous about this.

Risks and effort involved in "privately renting out an apartment"

It sounds tempting to rent out your apartment privately and save on management fees (often 4–5% of the rent). But don't underestimate the effort involved. If the boiler breaks down on Christmas Eve, your phone will ring. If a tenant complains about noise from a neighbor, you'll be the mediator. Renting out an apartment privately requires time and patience. You also bear the risk of vacancy . If you want to rent your apartment privately but can't find a new tenant, the costs will continue to accrue.

Another risk when renting out an apartment privately is tenants who don't pay rent. While this phenomenon is less common in Switzerland than abroad, it does exist. A thorough check (step 3) is therefore essential if you want to rent out an apartment privately with confidence .

Legal peculiarities in Switzerland

Anyone wishing to rent out an apartment privately must comply with the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR).

• Termination of tenancy: You can't simply terminate a tenant's lease because you've grown disliked. Valid reasons and official forms are required.
• Additional costs: If you want to rent out your apartment privately , you must prepare an accurate annual statement of heating and utility costs (advance payments). Errors here often lead to demands for repayment. Therefore, the project of renting out an apartment privately also requires a basic understanding of accounting.

Conclusion

The question "How do I rent out my apartment privately?" can be answered with "care and structure". It is certainly possible and often financially worthwhile to rent out an apartment privately , as long as you respect the legal framework and remain critical in your tenant selection.

Use professional templates, thoroughly check the creditworthiness of your candidates, and meticulously document the condition of the property. Then nothing will stand in the way of your plan to rent out your apartment privately . It's a task that requires responsibility, but it also ensures you have complete control over your property.

If you are unsure whether the rental price you have set is in line with the market or how to best present your property in order to successfully rent it out privately as an apartment , Loft offers helpful data and market analyses to ensure your success.

Glossary

• Privately renting out an apartment: The process in which an owner rents their property directly to a tenant without involving a real estate agent or management company.
• Reference interest rate: An average interest rate for mortgages determined by the Swiss National Bank, which is decisive for setting rents when renting out an apartment privately .
• Rent deposit (security deposit): A security payment (max. 3 months' rent) that is deposited in a blocked bank account – indispensable if you want to rent out an apartment privately with certainty .
• Debt enforcement register extract: An official document that provides information about the debts and payment history of a potential tenant.
• Official form: A document mandatory in various cantons for disclosing the initial rent in order to prevent abuses when owners rent out an apartment privately .