Which costs can I pass on to the tenant?

Additional costs: What can be included on the bill?

The largest item in the costs tenants are ancillary costs. Here you can pass on costs that are related to the use of the rented property.

1. Mandatory agreement

A tenant's assumption of utility costs is only permissible if the individual items are explicitly listed in the lease agreement. A blanket clause such as "all utility costs are the responsibility of the tenant" is invalid.

• Eligible costs for tenants to cover are: heating costs (fuel, heating maintenance), hot water, building maintenance, general electricity, elevator costs, sewage fees and basic garbage collection fees.
• Tenants are not required to cover the following costs : repairs to the heating system, renovations, mortgage interest, building insurance premiums, or property taxes.

2. Administrative costs

This is a frequent point of contention. Is it permissible to pass on the management costs to the tenant?

• General administration (drafting leases, accounting): No. Tenants do not cover these costs . This is included in the net rent.
• Tenants are permitted to cover the administrative costs of consumption-based billing (usually around 3–4% of energy costs or according to the actual expenses incurred).

3. TV and cable fees

Previously, it was standard practice for tenants to pay for cable TV. Since many tenants now watch television via the internet, they can request that the cable connection be sealed. In that case, the tenant is no longer responsible for this fee.

"Minor maintenance": When does the tenant have to get their hands dirty?

Another key aspect of tenant cost responsibility is repairs. Generally, the landlord is responsible for maintenance. However, there is one important exception: minor repairs.

The rule:

The tenant must pay for minor cleaning and repairs that he can do himself without professional expertise ("manually").

• Typical examples of costs for which tenants are responsible : replacement of shower hoses, seals on taps, baking trays, toilet lids, filters in the extractor fan or light bulbs.
• The financial limit: In practice and case law, a guideline of approximately 150 to 200 Swiss francs per case has become established. If the repair costs are below this amount, the tenant is responsible for covering the costs .

The exception:

As soon as expert knowledge is required (e.g., an electrician needs to be called out), the tenant is no longer responsible for costs , even if the bill is only 100 francs. The tenant does not have to pay a tradesperson. The tenant's responsibility for costs is therefore limited to materials for items that can be replaced by the tenant themselves.

Damage and liability: Who broke it ?

If something breaks that is not covered by minor maintenance (e.g., a crack in the sink or scratches in the parquet floor), the question of who bears the costs arises from the perspective of liability.

Lifespan table:

Full cost coverage by the tenant is rare, as items have a lifespan.

• Example: A parquet floor lasts 25 years. If the tenant causes a deep scratch after 12 years, they do not have to pay for a new floor. The tenant's cost is limited to the current value (in this case, 50%).
• If the flooring was already 30 years old, its current value is zero. The tenant is not liable for any costs whatsoever, even if the tenant caused the damage.

Renovations: Indirect pass-through

If you're renovating (new kitchen, new windows), you can't send the bill to the tenant. Directly having the tenant cover the costs is illegal in this case.

However, if the investments increase the property's value (comfort), you are allowed to raise the rent.

• This is an indirect cost assumption by the tenant . You recoup the money over the years through higher rent.
• Pure maintenance of value (brush repair), however, does not justify a rent increase and therefore, in fact, no cost assumption by the tenant .

Vacancy rates and administrative fees

Landlords often try to charge flat fees for "minor issues".

• Keys: If the tenant loses a key, the tenant is responsible for the costs of replacement (and possibly lock changes), provided it poses a security problem.
• Administrative costs: If the tenant requests extraordinary services (e.g., copies of old statements, forwarding of documents), a moderate cost-sharing agreement with the tenant can be made. However, flat-rate "expense contributions" without a specific reason are not permitted.

Conclusion

The question "Which costs can I pass on to the tenant?" requires discipline. The tenant's cost coverage is strictly limited to contractually agreed, actual ancillary costs and minor maintenance up to approximately 150 Swiss francs. Everything concerning the building's structure, major repairs, or general administration is covered by the net rent.

Never attempt to extend the tenant's responsibility for costs to areas that are legally assigned to the landlord (e.g., repair funds). Transparent accounting builds trust and prevents the tenant from challenging the tenant's cost allocation at the conciliation board – a process landlords usually lose with unclear contracts.

If you are unsure which items in your utility bill are legally valid or whether a specific repair falls under the tenant's responsibility for minor maintenance costs, Loft offers precise data analysis and tools to ensure your billing is legally compliant.

Glossary

• Tenant cost assumption: The legal framework that defines which financial burdens (utility costs, minor maintenance) may be transferred from the landlord to the tenant.
• Minor maintenance: Repairs up to approximately CHF 150–200 that the tenant can carry out themselves (e.g., shower hose). The tenant is fully responsible for these costs .
• Service life table: A list (e.g., from the tenants' association/HEV) that defines how quickly building components lose value. It limits the tenant's liability for damages to the current market value.
• Additional costs: Operating costs such as heating and water. Tenant reimbursement of these costs is only possible if they are explicitly stated in the rental agreement.
• Current value: The present value of a property after deducting depreciation due to age. It is the upper limit for the costs a tenant is liable for in the event of damages.