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3-year rental contract with 7% annual rent increase
Mar 22, 2016 @ 00:42

Hello,


I'm trying to rent my first independent apartment in Geneva after living in a foyer and living with a family. I received the rental contract for a studio I'd like to rent, but I don't like that the annual rent increase stated by the contract is 6-7% a year instead of the market rate of 1-2%.


I've read that renters should join ASLOCA, so maybe I can do that this week and have them look at it, but I wanted to ask if anyone here has comments about whether this rent increase is legal, and if not, if I should still go ahead and sign the lease and ask ASLOCA lawyers to contest it later, although the lawyer fees would probably take up a large chunk of money if the increase was negotiated down to 2% (the base rent is <1000/month).


Also, will ASLOCA answer questions about a french rental contract in english?


 I'd appreciate any advice people have, thank you! 


 

The text you are quoting:

Hello,


I'm trying to rent my first independent apartment in Geneva after living in a foyer and living with a family. I received the rental contract for a studio I'd like to rent, but I don't like that the annual rent increase stated by the contract is 6-7% a year instead of the market rate of 1-2%.


I've read that renters should join ASLOCA, so maybe I can do that this week and have them look at it, but I wanted to ask if anyone here has comments about whether this rent increase is legal, and if not, if I should still go ahead and sign the lease and ask ASLOCA lawyers to contest it later, although the lawyer fees would probably take up a large chunk of money if the increase was negotiated down to 2% (the base rent is <1000/month).


Also, will ASLOCA answer questions about a french rental contract in english?


 I'd appreciate any advice people have, thank you! 


 


Celeste CMar 22, 2016 @ 00:42
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Re: 3-year rental contract with 7% annual rent increase
Post 1
Mar 22, 2016 @ 09:29

I would challenge it with them since it is clearly unreasonable unless you know of works that will be improving the appartment each year.  A renter can only increase rent for valid reasons of additional expense, not just becuase he or she wants to.  People here are experiencing rent cuts, not increases, because interest rates and inflation keep dropping.  It sounds like they are hoping you just don't realise.


 


Here's the page to look at:


https://www.ch.ch/en/rent-tenant-rights-obligations/


 


"Your landlord must give you a clear explanation for raising your rent. Justifiable reasons could be an increase in the reference interest rate, inflation, increased maintenance costs or an investment that increases the value of the property e.g. the installation of additional kitchen appliances.

If you have doubts about the fairness of the increase, you should contact your canton’s conciliation authority, which will be able to advise you and act as the coordinating body if you decide (within 30 days) to dispute the increase. Your landlord cannot terminate your rental agreement if you decide to do this because you are protected by law. You must, however, continue to pay your rent or arrange through the conciliation authority to withhold the rent from the landlord by paying rent on deposit."


 


 

The text you are quoting:

I would challenge it with them since it is clearly unreasonable unless you know of works that will be improving the appartment each year.  A renter can only increase rent for valid reasons of additional expense, not just becuase he or she wants to.  People here are experiencing rent cuts, not increases, because interest rates and inflation keep dropping.  It sounds like they are hoping you just don't realise.


 


Here's the page to look at:


https://www.ch.ch/en/rent-tenant-rights-obligations/


 


"Your landlord must give you a clear explanation for raising your rent. Justifiable reasons could be an increase in the reference interest rate, inflation, increased maintenance costs or an investment that increases the value of the property e.g. the installation of additional kitchen appliances.

If you have doubts about the fairness of the increase, you should contact your canton’s conciliation authority, which will be able to advise you and act as the coordinating body if you decide (within 30 days) to dispute the increase. Your landlord cannot terminate your rental agreement if you decide to do this because you are protected by law. You must, however, continue to pay your rent or arrange through the conciliation authority to withhold the rent from the landlord by paying rent on deposit."


 


 


hucklewoo, Mar 22, 2016 @ 09:29
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Re: 3-year rental contract with 7% annual rent increase
Post 2
Mar 28, 2016 @ 11:16

My advice would be to sign the lease, and set up a meeting with Asloca quickly afterwords. You have 30 days once your lease is signed to contest the conditions. If Asloca feels you have a case they will take care of everything and you can rest assured that you won't be stuck with more legal feels than money saved on rent. 

The text you are quoting:

My advice would be to sign the lease, and set up a meeting with Asloca quickly afterwords. You have 30 days once your lease is signed to contest the conditions. If Asloca feels you have a case they will take care of everything and you can rest assured that you won't be stuck with more legal feels than money saved on rent. 


b_karma, Mar 28, 2016 @ 11:16
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Re: 3-year rental contract with 7% annual rent increase
Post 3
Mar 28, 2016 @ 12:04

If you have the time, it could be better to go see Ascloca before you sign anything. Take any papers with you regarding the lease.


If the landlord starts off like that, you may need asloca later too..


Their offices open after Easter holidays on Wednesdy 30th


Address on homepage and opening hours


http://www.asloca.ch/asloca-genève


Best to get there early or you may have to wait quite a while, the room fills up quickly.


Quite a few of them will speak to you in English, but they are not always the same ones there everyday.


Best to ask the receptionist when you arrive for someone who speaks English. 


In general they will write you any letters necessary in French if you ask them to.


 


 

The text you are quoting:

If you have the time, it could be better to go see Ascloca before you sign anything. Take any papers with you regarding the lease.


If the landlord starts off like that, you may need asloca later too..


Their offices open after Easter holidays on Wednesdy 30th


Address on homepage and opening hours


http://www.asloca.ch/asloca-genève


Best to get there early or you may have to wait quite a while, the room fills up quickly.


Quite a few of them will speak to you in English, but they are not always the same ones there everyday.


Best to ask the receptionist when you arrive for someone who speaks English. 


In general they will write you any letters necessary in French if you ask them to.


 


 


TogJay, Mar 28, 2016 @ 12:04
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