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Here is what to look for in a Swiss rental agreement, and what to know before you sign or move out.
Applying for a flat
Flats in and around Lausanne are in demand, so have your documents ready before you start viewing. Agencies usually ask for:
- their application form, filled in for everyone who will sign the lease
- a copy of your passport or ID and your residence permit
- proof of income, such as your employment contract or recent payslips
- a recent extract from the debt enforcement register (extrait du registre des poursuites). It shows whether any debt enforcement proceedings have been opened against you in the past five years, and costs CHF 17 plus postage. Order it as soon as you have registered, from the debt enforcement office for your area.
Send a complete application quickly after a viewing, and ask the agency which documents it needs if you are unsure.
The rental agreement
The agreement is normally in writing. It should state the names of the parties, the property, the term, the notice period and fixed termination dates, and the rent and additional charges.
The deposit
- For a home, the deposit is a maximum of three months’ rent.
- You only have to pay a deposit if the agreement requires it.
- The deposit must be paid into a bank account in your name, not the landlord’s. It stays blocked during the tenancy, and the interest belongs to you.
Ending a lease
- The agreement can set fixed termination dates and longer notice periods than the law provides, so read it carefully.
- If you leave outside those dates, you must either find a new tenant or keep paying rent until the next official termination date.
- Everyone who signed the agreement must sign the termination letter. If you rent with a spouse or registered partner, you need their approval, even if only one of you signed.
- You do not need to give a reason. Send the letter by registered mail.
If something goes wrong
The cantonal conciliation authority can help with disputes between tenants and landlords. The Swiss Tenants’ Association (ASLOCA in French-speaking Switzerland) provides templates and advice.
Related guides
- Everyday life: rubbish bags, the radio and TV fee and more.
- Registering your arrival: you often need a rental contract to register.
Official sources
- Rental and leasing agreements (ch.ch)
- Extract from the debt enforcement register (ch.ch)
- Code of Obligations, art. 257e: rent deposits (Fedlex)
Last checked: 12 November 2026. This is general information only. Please check the official sources above before you act.