The basics
Swiss law sets clear rules for the rental deposit:
- Maximum 3 months' rent. A landlord cannot ask for more · if they do, you can get the extra back even after signing.
- Separate blocked account (Sperrkonto) in your name at a Swiss bank. Both names are on the account, but neither side can withdraw alone.
- The interest is yours. It is small, but it belongs to you, not the landlord.
- Released by: both sides agreeing in writing, a court order, or automatically after a year if the landlord has not made a claim.
What happens when you move out
- Final inspection (Schlussabnahme): you walk through the flat with the landlord or property manager and any damage gets written down.
- The landlord's claim: if the landlord wants to keep part of the deposit, they must tell you the amount in writing within a reasonable time. You can dispute it.
- Agreed deductions: you both sign a release to the bank for the agreed amount and the rest comes back to you.
- Disagreements: go to the cantonal conciliation authority (Schlichtungsbehörde) first · court is only a last resort.
- Automatic return: if a year passes with no claim filed, you can ask the bank for the full deposit back.
Alternative: deposit insurance
Instead of tying up three months' rent, you can take out a deposit insurance (Mietkautionsversicherung) from providers like SwissCaution, FirstCaution or GoCaution. You pay a small yearly premium and the insurer guarantees the deposit to the landlord, so you do not lock up the cash. If the landlord makes a valid claim, you pay the insurer back.
Quick example: on a CHF 8,400 deposit (three months of a CHF 2,800 rent), insurance might cost a few hundred francs a year, versus only a few francs of interest on a blocked account. It can be worth it if you would rather keep the cash free; it is less useful if you will stay for years.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying the deposit straight to the landlord instead of into a blocked account · always insist on the Sperrkonto.
- Not checking the account was actually opened · ask the bank for the confirmation.
- Forgetting to claim your deposit back · set yourself a reminder.
How aptari helps before you even get there
The deposit only matters once a landlord says yes, and the hard part is getting that far. On aptari your Tenant Passport keeps your salary slip, ID, Betreibungsauszug and references ready, you see a Match Score for each listing, and you apply with one click · so you reach the deposit stage faster on the flats you can actually get.
See the Mietkaution glossary entry and Documents Swiss landlords need for the dossier walkthrough.