Ask the Régie how much they would charge to send their accredited plumber and you might find that 600 is a reasonable price after all.

The advantage of employing someone recommended by the Régie is that the Régie can’t subsequently claim that the work wasn’t well done.

I know it's a bit of an effort to move out but you can hardly claim to have been "screwed" if it was in your contract.

As Ritchie says, the Regie-approved plumber will almost certainly be your best bet.  Because they will know already what is required, they won't spend unnecessary time on it, so it's likely to be cheaper than using an outsider.  They will also, to expand on Ritchie's point, be able to notify the Regie directly that the work is done.

Slightly off topic, but can anyone advise on what constitutes 'reasonable wear and tear' during a tenancy here?

There are gaps appearing between our parquet floorboards. I called the regie, simply to inform them. They didn't seem too bothered and said they'd inform the landlord. I'm just concerned that they might try to charge us for a new floor when we move out.

Also wondering about small marks on walls? I'm noticing that people here seem to be very concerned about marking their walls. In the UK, tenants have to make quite a mess before incurring costs. What is the situation here? Is it different?

Regarding the parquet, I would write to the Régie to confirm the information given by telephone, to avoid any possible future dispute.  And if the gaps widen, write again by registered post.

As for marks on walls, perhaps someone else can answer more precisely, but they do count.

I also remember that in Vaud there was a limit on the number of holes one could make to hang pictures, etc.  Beyond that, the tenant had to pay for the “make good” work, by the Régie’s designated firm at the Régie’s tariff -- ouch!

Also, in Zurich, we once had to pay CHF 35 to replace a bathroom tile on which we had dared to “install” a self-adhesive hook – and that was more moons ago than I’m going to say.

I wonder if ASLOCA has a list of what is currently considered fair wear and tear.

R .

Hi all. Thanks for the replies. 

I must add that: 

1. The régie told me to look in the yellow pages, in that very cordial tone that régies usually have with tenants. So yes, I did ask. 

2. I consider that I was screwed because my Swiss friends have all said "why would you sign a contract with such a stupid clause. We have never heard of such a thing. It is totally ridiculous". And I say "I  was desperate for a place and this is what I found; and this was mi 1st flat contract in Geneva". 

I will speak to ASLOCA this week to enquire about the legality of this...

The sticker on the boiler/water heater says the last control took place in 2003. I moved in in 2009...

If anything, let this post stay here as a cautionary tale for new renters in Geneva, dealing with régies that do what they want with newbie expats. 

Cheers to all. Have a happy week!

X

Xaviero,

There is certain maintenance that a tenant can be responsible for, such as a yearly cleaning of the chimney if you have a fireplace (and want to use it), boiler, etc... My wife and I have to clean our boiler also - depending on the conditions in the building, many others do it yearly and it's more common than one would think. Your friends might be in newer place or have a different water heating system, but it doesn't mean that the regie is screwing you over (at least in this case ). You should be able to get it done for a few hundred francs...

For Amy, if you have an older place, it's normal that the floor can come apart and the regie shouldn't be bothered. How long have you been in your flat? If it's been an extended period - over 4 years, for example, most regies will plan on refreshing the place and repainting. As long as there aren't ridiculous marks, you should be fine. If you haven't been there long, it depends on the condition of how the apartment was when you moved in. If it was newly renovated, they are a little stricter. If it was already in a 'used' condition, they'll be more flexible.

Yikes! Who is your regie?

You just delivered theWEAK point: The Maintenance firm that did the job until 2003 should be contacted and you ask them if they have - say in 2007-2008 - made a de-calc process on the particular boiler. Get their answer which is useful in your counter-argument.

Be informed the maintenance has to be done every 3-4 years so the "regie" must prove to you it was done by a professional company before you enter the place in 2009 . You ought to visit the regie and ask for checking such immediate documentation. Do not wait for a copy by mail unless you saw the original. Make it a legitimate naïve checking to protect your rights and not trouble-making.

You will have then a good basis for further negotiation

Gaps between your parquet floorboards: Report to the landlord the immediate size (width) of such gaps from the tiniest to the largest and also make reserves should you have floor heating as gaps usually expand during winter & heating period.

Asloca have a list ofyears of service before anything is expected to depreciate:

http://www.asloca.ch/sites/default/files/documents/Tabelle_avertissement.pdf

If your parquet is falling apart, then it could be older than the 40 years expected service. In which case your landlord can't charge you.

(Can my lodgers please ignore this post please;-)

Absolutely! Here is one very recent example of evil landlord and the tenant who won back loads of money after having been overcharged illegally.

http://www.thelocal.ch/page/view/geneva-landlord-overcharged-tenant-230000-francs

The tenant won back 230,000 chf! http://www.asloca.ch/?q=node/88

To give some closure to this issue, here is a report:

I called Muller, as suggested by holllie33 above (THANKS!). Anyway, we made an appointment and they did the job for CHF 400 plus taxes (total approx. 435).

I had consulted with ASLOCA about this. They said that since it is so explicitly laid out in the contract there was no way to contest or get out of getting this job on the boiler done.

Yesterday I had the final inspection by the régie (GRANGE). I was so surprised at the level of detail of the inspection. I had cleaned and left the place spotless. In the end he said “all is fine here, but what are we going to do about the scratch on the building entrance hall, which must have been done by the movers?” WHAT? I told him that I was pretty sure that 5 cm scratch was not caused by my movers, but he wrote it down in the paper anyway. Let’s see if they try to play a funny one with this before giving me back my 3 months rent deposit… but I will fight them. I really don’t know how these people working for the régies can sleep at night.

Ah, the other news is that as customary I had to introduce a viable candidate for the apartment when I gave my notice. I gave them the application of someone I know. She agreed to buy some of the furniture I had in the place. The régie still do not make a decision, so I had to get rid of furniture in a rush, selling things at ridiculously cheap prices, and dumping a sofa on the trash. Thanks régie!

Anyway, I am done with this régie. And I am happy in a new flat :-)

I’ve had to clean out the hot-water heater a few times, and it’s a pain, so I can well understand the price. I’ve literally had the whole bottom of it filled with calcaire.

The frequency of doing it depends on where you live. In town, and most of the canton, water comes from the lake, and is not very hard. But in some places in the country side, and especially in France, they use ground water, which has a lot more calcium, so then you need to do it every few years.