Finding a place to live in Switzerland is increasingly difficult. Scammers have noticed and are cashing in on the desperation experienced by some seeking a place to live, reported the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a federal government agency. Across much of Switzerland housing vacancy rates are less than 1%. In the cantons of Zug […]
The rapidly fading economics of solar panels in Switzerland
Electricity prices in Switzerland are set for a shake up. Prices paid for electricity put into the grid are falling fast in some parts of the country, reported RTS. From 2026, these prices will be adjusted every quarter, rather than once a year. This will add further uncertainty to prices and the investment case for […]
Federal parliament approves abolition of imputed rent
After a stalemate last week, Switzerland’s federal parliament and upper house found a way forward this week on the abolition of imputed rent that both houses could agree on, reported SRF. For more than seven years, the National Council and the Council of States have been discussing how to do away with the imputed rent, […]
Abolition of imputed rent gets bogged down in complexity
A project to end Switzerland’s controversial system of imputed rent was launched more than seven years ago. This week, discussions in Bern suggest the project’s chances of sucess remain narrow. In Switzerland, anyone who owns a property retained as a primary or secondary residence must add a fictional rent to their taxable income, which is […]
Swiss homeowners shun heat pumps in favour of gas and oil heating
Electric heat pumps have a lower carbon footprint than gas and oil heating systems. They are more energy efficient, and, when gas, coal and oil electricity generation are eventually phased out of the grid, they will be close to emission free. However, the number of heat pumps being installed in Switzerland is falling, and the […]
Swiss to vote on tenancy laws this weekend
Most people in Switzerland rent. This means the nation has strict tenancy rules, some of which are viewed as too strict by the current government. Both parliament and the Council of States have come up with two changes aimed at limiting the actions of tenants, which are considered abusive. These two votes are the result […]
Swiss residential property prices continue to climb
Data published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) shows that residential housing has risen in price by 18% since 2019. In the most recent quarter (Q3 2024) it rose 0.7%. With prices rising by 19%, stand alone houses have risen by more than apartments (+17.4%) over the same period. With the exception of […]
Swiss government wants to invest more in bomb shelters
In 1962, Switzerland introduced a law that required underground bomb shelter space be constructed for all residents. Since then shelters have been built into houses and communal spaces have been built by municipalities for those living in a building without one. This week, the federal government announced plans to increase spending to renew and maintain […]
Vacant homes become increasingly scarce in Switzerland
Data published this week by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show a decline in the number of vacant homes, both to buy and rent in Switzerland. On 1 June 2024, there were 51,974 empty homes in Switzerland, representing 1.08% of the country’s total housing stock. The number was down by 2,791 (-5.1%) compared to the […]
Swiss homeowners association rejects government plan to charge all home owners for earthquakes
Last week, the government in Bern broadly supported a plan to force all property owners to contribute to the cost of earthquake repair. This week, a Swiss homeowners association rejected the idea, reported SRF. The government plan is a response to the attitude of many home owners towards insurance. Only 15% of buildings are insured […]