Rent Reduction Due to Cigarette Smoke
In a recent Federal Supreme Court decision (Federal Supreme Court decision 4A_425/2024 of 20 February 2025.), a rent reduction was granted in a case where cigarette smoke from another flat entered the rented premises on a daily basis. But what can tenants do if their own flat smells of smoke and the landlord takes no action?
Can a Landlord Require a Tenant to Take Out Personal Liability Insurance?
It is common for tenancy agreements to stipulate that tenants must take out personal liability insurance. But are such clauses even legally permissible?
Rent increases due to cost increases – What landlords and tenants need to know
In a recent decision by the Federal Supreme Court (BGer 4A_515/2024 of March 3, 2025), the practice of rent increases in the event of increased maintenance costs is once again being tightened up. This raises a key question: when are flat-rate rent increases permissible – and when are they not?
Can I give my tenants notice if they are too loud at night and the other tenants are bothered by it?
There does not have to be a special reason to terminate a tenancy agreement. However, a cancellation can be contested if it is contrary to good faith. This is the case if it is issued without an objective, serious interest worthy of protection.
Loss of keys in a rented flat
You come home to find the doors locked. Perhaps you left the key on the bus or it has fallen out of your jacket pocket. But what do you need to do in this situation and who pays for the costs?
Extraordinary termination in the event of unauthorised subletting
Subletting is only permitted if the tenant intends to live in the rented property again in the near future. If this intention cannot be clearly established, extraordinary termination by the landlord is possible.
Letting condominiums via Airbnb: legal aspects
Renting out condominiums via platforms such as Airbnb is an issue that raises relevant legal questions for both owners and the condominium owners’ association.
Revised service life table from February 1, 2024
Since February 1, 2024, new lifetimes have applied to individual fixtures and fittings in residential and commercial properties. The lifespan tables were revised jointly by the Homeowners’ Association (HEV) and the Tenants’ Association (MV).
Rent disclosure after renovation
In principle, in Lucerne and other cantons that require the use of forms, the official form approved by the canton must be used when concluding a new tenancy agreement. As a rule, this must contain details of the initial rent and the reasons for any increase. But what happens if a flat has been recently renovated?
“I have just moved into my first flat of my own and would like to paint my walls. Can I just do that in a rented flat?”
White walls can get too boring. But before you immediately get down to business with brush and paint, there are a few things you should know.