Notice period (Kündigungsfrist).
Period within which a lease must be terminated. Typically 3 months in Switzerland.
The Kündigungsfrist (notice period) for flats is at least 3 months by law (art. 266c OR) and can be extended by contract. Notice must be in writing, and a landlord must use the official cantonal form (art. 266l OR). For a family home, a tenant can give notice only with the spouse's express consent (art. 266m OR), and the landlord must send its notice to both spouses separately (art. 266n OR).
Termination dates: notice goes to the local termination date, which differs by canton and commune; where there is none, to the end of a three-month tenancy period (art. 266c OR). In many places the end of March, June and September are common dates. Your lease can set other 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 outside the dates if you propose a replacement tenant the landlord can reasonably accept, who is solvent and willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 OR). You are then released from your obligations, even if the landlord does not sign with that person.
Extension (Erstreckung): if the landlord gives notice and moving out would cause you or your family hardship, you can ask the conciliation authority for an extension within 30 days of receiving the notice; for flats it can last up to four years in total (art. 272, 272b and 273 OR).
General information, not legal advice.
General information, not legal advice.