This is one of the mechanisms they use as a possible backdoor if they want someone out.

I know hindsight is 20/20, but in Switzerland you are much better off signing the rent agreement under only 1 person's name and just officially listing the other person(s) as living there vs having 2 co-titulaires.

Learned this from a previous acquintance who was being "blackmailed" by his ex girlfriend because she basically had his living arrangement at her mercy (if she told the regie she moved out he wouldn't be able to keep the place).

Unfortunately, you are basically at the mercy of their good will to not give you the shaft.

If it is not too late, I advise your ex to send a letter to the regie to ratify your request of rent reduction. This should make your request valid, at least formally.

Then you may consider to remove the name of your ex, unless she agrees to leave her name on the lease contract. Regies prefer to have two names instead of one in case of default. 

As well as taking into account the two replies above, have you thought of going to ASLOCA to see if they have any advice?

Hi Guys,

 Thanks so much for the detailed replies.

I spoke with my lawyer today - she advised that as the regie has tried to issue a new contract (get me to re-apply), I can no longer use the rent reduction letter regarding the interest rates decrease. Therefore my only option is (likely) to negotiate a new cheaper contract with them.. or walk away and leave them to try rent it. 

Given that I think the economy is still weakish, and multinationals will not take on many staff, I think the rental market will be slow, so it would be daft for them to get rid of me - would only reduce the complains they receive about the lazy consierge! But I pay my rent and I maintain the flat in good condition.

Regie was around here about a month ago to see me and other things/ consierge. I spoke to the regie in english and he ASSURED me that "nothing will change with the contract, except the removal of my ex's name".. I remembered that today. Unfortunately it will be his word against mine. 

Alexandre - good idea, I will ask my lawyer if this would work. I'm on good terms with my ex, so she may help. 

Togjay - will ask the laywer if its worth going to Asloca - I'm certainly aware of them, but whether they can help further than my lawyer I'm not sure. 

Let's see what happens, but I'm not going to play their games!

Thanks again!

Chris

Yeah Chris just don't overplay your hand regarding them being daft to let you walk. While the housing market isn't turbo insane in Geneva like it was 2-4 years ago, it's still insane.

An apartment in Geneva that isn't priced at insane levels in an area not named Avanchet or really far out will find a suitor.

Just sayin'

Yip, Andy, it now becomes a big gamble! My lawyer has looked at my documentation and told me I have two choices..

a) ignore their letter to re-apply and every time i need something, I need to get my ex to sign the letters as well. Can also try to send the rent reduction request again, with her signature too, but given they know she now doesn't live here, don't think it will be approved (although they have to respond). 

or b) fill in the new application at the same rent and see if they accept, or reject me

life's too short for being boring, so Im going to send a letter with both of us signing it and continue to ask for rent reduction!  If they refuse, then its a new, exciting chapter in my life! 

I had a similar situation, me and my husband canceled our lease 6 month in advance and leave Switzerland, but then the life has changed, and I decided to stay and my husband left, so in order to stay in the same place I had to re-apply and after a very long reconcideration, it was decided not to change the lease at all. After I asked them if it is possible to take my husband's name out, because I do not want to go look for his signiture, especially when he lifes miles miles away from Switzerland, the aswer was short and clear that the price would go up, because it would be a new contract, but they offeres me to change the debit name, so at least the bill comes on my name now.

Future advice would be to lay low regarding any Regie, not to complain too much or try change a contract. There is such a demand for property here that a Regie won't hesitate to increase rent especially after a contract change. It was interesting reading this thread, first time I ever heard of a rent decrease request!

Hope it works out.