Real estate and construction law

Transit authorities charge for access to badges "I wanted to obtain a badge, so I asked my transit authority for the necessary certificate. In reply, I received a payment slip for CHF 10.00, which I was told I had to pay in order to receive such a document. Is this legal? "Philippe, Geneva A...

Pigeons and their mess in tenancy law " I rent a flat under the roof of a building, and my balcony is infested with pigeons, which cause a lot of mess. I have asked the landlord to pay all or part of the cost of installing equipment to keep the birds out. He refused,...

Tenant's rights in the face of wear and tear "I've been renting the same flat for nearly 10 years, and I've rented it with a fully equipped kitchen, including a fridge and a cooker. If, due to wear and tear, the equipment in my kitchen stops working, who is supposed to replace it? The tenant or...

The lessor of a property is not always the owner "I'd been renting a second home for several years. The contract was concluded verbally. When I terminated it, I learned that the landlord was not the person to whom I had been paying the rent, but her daughter, who is now claiming back the sums I have already paid....

Termination is subject to strict rules "5 years ago, I signed a lease for a magnificent flat for an indefinite period. A week ago I received a simple letter from my landlord telling me that he was terminating the lease within the three-month notice period....

Tax on rental value " I own the flat I live in. How does the so-called "rental value" tax work, and how is it calculated?" Yves, Geneva As the owner of a property, you are not only subject to wealth tax, but also to tax on the rental value of your...

Buying a rented flat "I'm thinking of buying a flat. However, the current owner has a lease on the property in question. If I buy this flat, will the previous owner remain bound by the lease or will it be transferred to me? Will I be able to terminate the lease? Vincent, Conches Article 261 of the...

My guarantee was hot! In May 2022, I bought a flat in a quiet, peaceful housing estate in Geneva. During the Easter holidays, I was shocked to discover that the oven installed by the general contractor was no longer working. I contacted the general contractor, who told me that the "supplier's guarantee" had expired....

Possible compensation in the event of works "Can I claim compensation following long-term works carried out on my neighbour's building? Does it make any difference whether I own or rent? Under the Civil Code, every landowner is required, in exercising his or her right, to refrain from any excesses to the...