Mortgage reference rate
The rate published each quarter by the Federal Office for Housing, derived from the average Swiss mortgage rate. A rent is tied to the rate in force when it was last set: when it falls, the tenant may ask for a reduction; when it rises, the landlord may ask for an increase. Nothing happens by itself.
Each 0.25-point step justifies a 3 % adjustment of the net rent while the rate is below 5 % — and the reciprocal, 2.91 %, for a reduction. Steps compound when several publications were missed. Inflation and cost increases may partly offset a reduction; an increase must be notified on the official form, before the notice period that precedes a term date.
- Legal basis
- art. 12a and 13 OBLF · art. 269a CO
These explanations give an order of magnitude and are not legal advice. Swiss tenancy law has cantonal particularities; check your situation with a qualified source before acting.
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