Request Rent Reduction
Create your rent reduction request letter
Rent Reduction in Switzerland — Your Right for Significant Apartment Defects
If your apartment suffers from significant defects, you as a tenant in Switzerland have the right to rent reduction. The Swiss Code of Obligations (Art. 259a CO) allows a reduction of rent if the landlord fails to remedy a reported defect despite a written request. Typical cases: persistent noise from construction, mould, defective heating or lack of hot water. The rent reduction must be requested and justified in writing. Our form creates the letter in 2 minutes — with all relevant details, legally sound under Swiss law, instantly downloadable as PDF and Word.
How much rent reduction can I demand?
Typically 5–30% of rent depending on severity. A court decides in case of dispute. Severe cases (e.g. uninhabitability) can reach up to 100%.
Must I first send a defect complaint?
Yes. Before demanding rent reduction, you must have reported the defect in writing and set a repair deadline.
Can the landlord reject the rent reduction?
Yes, they can contest it. In that case the conciliation authority or rent court decides. Your written letter is important evidence.
Related tenant tools: rent reduction calculator and guide to requesting a reduction.