Wissenwertes 2 (en)

Heating and ancillary cost contributions

In connection with the energy crisis, heating costs are also rising in Switzerland. When adjusting heating and ancillary cost amounts, the type of settlement agreed between the tenant and landlord must be taken into account. A basic distinction is made between flat-rate ancillary costs and payments on account. If the variant of payments on account has been agreed, the landlord is basically free to determine the amount of the monthly contribution on account. In practice, however, it generally makes sense to set the contribution on account realistically in line with the actual expected costs in order to avoid large additional payments or repayments at the end of the billing period.

Flat-rate service charges
If the landlord opts for the flat-rate service charge system, the flat rate must correspond to the average costs of the previous three years.Adjustment of the heating and ancillary cost contributions
If the landlord wishes to unilaterally change the monthly payments on account or lump sum payments, he must notify the tenant of this using the official form at a contractually agreed termination date. If the landlord wishes to increase a lump sum, he must prove that the new lump sum was calculated on the basis of the average costs of the last three years, whereas in the case of the payment on account system, he is basically free to determine the new payment on account amount. Our real estate experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.