Vermieter / Liegenschaftsverwaltung letter explained in English
Landlord or property manager. The owner of your flat or the company that manages it.
Letters you may get
- Mietzinserhöhung — a rent increase; it must come on an official form
- Nebenkostenabrechnung — the yearly bill for heating, hot water and other costs
- Kündigung — notice to end your rental contract
What to do
- A rent increase or a notice from the landlord must come on the official cantonal form. You can challenge it at the conciliation office (Schlichtungsbehörde) within 30 days.
- Your deposit (Mietzinsdepot) can be at most 3 months’ rent and must be in a bank account in your name.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Mietzinsdepot
- Rental deposit (Kaution). At most 3 months’ rent, kept in a bank account in your name.
- Kündigung
- Notice that ends a contract.
- Nebenkosten
- Extra costs on top of the rent, like heating and hot water.
- Schlichtungsbehörde
- Conciliation office for disputes, for example with your landlord. For rent disputes it costs nothing.
Questions
What is the Vermieter / Liegenschaftsverwaltung?
Landlord or property manager. The owner of your flat or the company that manages it.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Vermieter / Liegenschaftsverwaltung?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert” — they mark the deadline. In Switzerland, a legal deadline starts the day after you receive the letter. A registered letter you don’t collect usually counts as delivered on the 7th day after the collection notice (Abholungseinladung). To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a Vermieter / Liegenschaftsverwaltung letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Switzerland
Kantonales Steueramt / Steuerverwaltung · Gemeindesteueramt · RAV (Regionales Arbeitsvermittlungszentrum) · Arbeitslosenkasse · Migrationsamt · Einwohnerkontrolle / Einwohneramt · Krankenkasse · Serafe AG