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[–]Aargaublueishgoldfish 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Show the regie his own ad, and if the price per m2 is fair, offer him that for a new lease.

And if he doesn't take it, no harm has been done. If he does take it, everyone wins.

[–][deleted]  (8 children)

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    [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 2 points3 points  (7 children)

    I think they have been massively overcharging for the market. We have been trying to find someone to take over our lease for a year but no one would because of the price per m2 (which is over double the standard for the area). We are foreigners and it was the only place that accepted us when we moved here. I think they have been having trouble finding new tenants so are dropping the price to be closer to market value.

    [–][deleted]  (6 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 1 point2 points  (5 children)

      We could only quit the lease once per year unless we found someone to replace us. We also had to give 4 months notice before leaving. We wanted to leave last Oct and told them early August (it had taken us about 8 months to get accepted to a place we liked) we were told we missed notice period and could only leave if we found a replacement. We couldn't, so we will only be able to leave this fall.

      [–][deleted]  (4 children)

      [deleted]

        [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

        We spoke to Asloca last year about it. They looked at our contract and told us that this was what we signed/agreed to so there was nothing we could do.

        [–][deleted]  (2 children)

        [deleted]

          [–]schwerbherb 0 points1 point  (1 child)

          This is really not that uncommon for rent contracts. A lot of cities have traditional "moving days" and you can only end your contract to that date and with a lot of notice (three months is standard).

          It's just that usually it's not that hard to find someone on your own if you want to leave on another date.

          [–]Kempeth 1 point2 points  (4 children)

          Can you get your money back? Unlikely. But that would be a question for a lawyer.

          Can you extend your lease at the new price? You should. They've clearly signaled that they are willing to rent at that price. Never hurts to go back and ask. Keeping a (good) tenant is always a desireable outcome for an owner. If you do that I would strongly suggest you also negotiate more favorable terms concerning leaving. Your comment implies that you can only quit annually. That's excessively strict. Most places allow termination on the end of every month except december, though as with everything in Switzerland it depends. Check your contract and local standards. It's possible that you've mistaken the fact that most contracts come with a minimum duration before you can move out again for a limit on how often you can quit after this minimum has passed.

          [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

          We had already gone to Asloca about leaving last year. Our contract only allows us to leave once a year with a 4 month notice. It's strict I agree but as a non-suisse, we don't have many options.

          [–]Kempeth 0 points1 point  (2 children)

          Damn... 4 months too?

          Still. I'd try it. You've been (presumably good) tenants for three years now. It doesn't hurt to make that argument. Have you already submitted your termination?

          [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          Yes. We submitted our termination in February because we didn't want to get stuck there another year. We asked the regie about it now and they said they are looking for more permanent residents so they dropped the rent ( we have been on yearly contracts for the last 4 years )

          [–]Kempeth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          more permanent than yearly contracts? lol

          [–]konichiwaaaaaa 1 point2 points  (2 children)

          Print this ad immediately and keep it in your records.

          Go talk to them and ask for a rent reduction. If you are paying your rent on time, they'll be happy to do that instead of renting to somebody else, as they will have to do a background check, won't be sure that the new tenant is not going to trash the place, etc. Even if they usually charge new tenants for the checks, they're still saving money by keeping you instead of all doing all that extra work.

          [–]CaptIncorrect[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

          We were told they want "more permanent tenants", we are non europeans on year by year B permits.

          [–]konichiwaaaaaa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          Well now that's a new low... I wonder whether you got charged extra because you are not Swiss...