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Defined term

Notice period (Kündigungsfrist).

Kündigungsfrist · Délai de résiliation · Termine di disdetta

Period within which a lease must be terminated. Typically 3 months in Switzerland.

The Kündigungsfrist (notice period) in Swiss rental law is 3 months by default and can be extended by contract. Termination must be in writing; on a family-home contract it is signed by both spouses.

Termination dates: typically three dates per year in Switzerland: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September. Some cantons have different dates.

Calculation: terminate on 10 March for 30 June? OK. Terminate on 1 April for 30 June? No longer possible. You then wait until the next date, 30 September.

Early termination: you can leave any time if you propose a reasonable replacement tenant who is solvent and willing to take over on the same terms. The landlord then can't refuse them.

Family or job hardship: in hardship cases (illness, job loss, separation) you can request a deadline extension.

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Related terms
Apartment handover (Wohnungsabnahme)
Joint walk-through by tenant and landlord at move-in and move-out, with a written record.
Mieterverband (Swiss Tenants' Association)
Swiss tenant protection organisation: advice, legal protection and representation in rental disputes.