Does anyone have experience with short term rentals? I have an apartment that I would like to rent in the summer on Booking or Airbnb. But I have no experience about it in switzerland.
Both platforms drive a lot of users to your ad and impose a fee of 5% to 30% (Booking is more expensive). I used to rent out one of my rooms via AirBnB and usually restricted the rental period for a short duration (1-4 weeks) only. Then I would make a subsequent direct arrangement with a sub-lease agreement (*edited) with any potential long-term tenant and gifted them with the AirBnB margin. I blocked the ad on AirBnB during occupancy.
1 Like
to make everything right. Do I need to ask for special permissions? How does the tax system work?
If your local community has no ruling about AirBnB yet, there are existing rules about subletting:
- You need the permission of your landlord
- The sublease agreement needs to made made transparent, best let your landlord have a copy of it
- You may not price your appartment too high, i.e. you may not make a profit out of it other than asking for an adequate amount for the use of furniture.
- The subtenant(s) should not use the apartement differently from you (renting it out to for only a few days at a time could constitute a different usage)
As you will not make a profit, there is no income to be taxed, in my opinion.
1 Like
Actually I would like to do it to make a profit.
I would like to use my own property and maybe rent another one and then sub rent it for 2-7 days and make a profit.
I just don’t understand if it’s “legal” here in Switzerland, how much the taxes would be, which official body to ask for all this to be in order.
You have to ask the owner but if you’re making a profit, the owner can (and probably will) reject it.
Why should he refuse? I would pay the monthly rent and all expenses, he would not change a thing.
However, as I said at the beginning, I also own an apartment where I shouldn’t ask others.
Supposedly because you’d be “running a business” on a place which is not yours, and which is meant to be used as residence.
But I don’t know the law, just assuming.
Risk.
You (or the short-Term rental agency acting on your behalf) may not have vetted the occupants as carefully as they vetted yourself before renting out to you.
The occupants may cause more damage than you - the only contracting party in the view of your landlord - are able (or willing) to prevent, let alone pay back in time.
1 Like
The subrent is ruled by §262 OR.
The renter can subrent only with landlord permission. He can refuse permission if the subrent amount is abusive. It’s generally admitted that a subrent higher than the rent is abusive. The only way to set a subrent higher is to provide an other prestation in addition to the use of the appartement.
And the landlord must now exactly the terms of the subrent, otherwise he can refuse the permission form this sole reason.
1 Like
Hi there,
It’s great to hear that you’re considering renting out your apartment for short-term stays during the summer! Renting on platforms like Booking or Airbnb can indeed be a fantastic opportunity. I understand that you’re looking for advice, especially since you’re new to this in Switzerland. There is an article that covers various aspects of property rentals and tenant relationships in Switzerland. https://www.carbonie.ch/blog/droit-de-bail-en-suisse/ I recommend you to read it.
The article covers subjects such as tenant-landlord relationships, legal obligations, subletting regulations, financial considerations, and more. I believe the information could be valuable for you as you navigate this new endeavor.
Feel free to take a look, and I hope you find some useful insights to help you in your journey of renting out your apartment. If you have any more specific questions or need further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Best of luck with your short-term rental venture!