kreispreisWhy and how?
Learn why fair rents are important and how you can fight against excessive prices on kreispreis.ch. Learn from the founder's personal experience and his motivation for creating this platform.
«kreispreis.ch» is primarily aimed at tenants in the city of Zurich. The data basis for core components of this site is not (yet) available in other cities.
What is fair and what is abusive?
When exploring kreispreis.ch, you will find clues to help you answer this question for your current situation.
For a rental apartment, a maximum return of 3.75 percent is allowed.
For newer buildings, up to 1.5% is added depending on the situation.
To spare others my situation
I had to leave my sublease due to the needs of the main tenant.
Fortunately, something happened by chance in the neighborhood at short notice. However, despite the same size, the rent was more than twice as high, and the standard of the apartment was not particularly better.
Missed the 30-day deadline
You can challenge and review the initial rent up to 30 days after the handover of the keys at the conciliation authority after signing the contract. It is important that you act despite the stress of moving.
For the approximately equal number of square meters, I now pay more than twice as much compared to the previous rent of the other apartment: CHF 2,800.– instead of 1,200.–.
Rental yields are legally limited depending on the situation. I pay way too much because I missed the 30-day deadline and can no longer challenge the initial rent, even though it seems significantly higher than the nationwide guideline in case of a housing shortage.
Why kreispreis.ch?
To help others better assess their situation, I decided to visualize the data points from Zurich and automate certain steps of the challenge process. I see in project the opportunity to simplify the process and raise awareness of tenants' rights.
It is important to me to raise awareness among people that they do not have to simply accept a high rent.
A good location does not necessarily justify a high rent
If you suspect that your rent is too high, start a dialogue with your landlord, make use of your rights, and have the rent checked.
Check your rent and ensure more transparency with awareness
Compare square meter prices and other information, and find out when and if you should challenge your rent.
City of Zurich Open Data Catalog
Kreispreis is based on rental and housing data from the City of Zurich's Open Data Catalog.
Insights into the Open Data Catalog
Tsüri.ch – In focus at the city magazine
For ten years, the city magazine has been researching the housing crisis and gentrification.
Exciting insights into the city
