kreispreisImportant to know
According to the Federal Court, for a rental apartment in the current interest rate environment, a maximum yield of 3.75 percent is permissible, which is two percentage points above the reference interest rate. For newer buildings, 1.5 percent is added depending on the situation.
Yields can be reviewed both at the beginning of a new lease and during an existing one.
«An indication of an excessive yield is if your rent is among the top 10% compared to other apartments in your area.»
You have 30 days to contest, either at the beginning of the lease or after receiving a letter of increase.
If you miss this contestation period, you will have to pay the higher rent in the future, even if it is not justified.
You've just moved?
In many places, the housing supply is scarce. Landlords often take advantage of this situation and significantly increase the rent when changing tenants, without making value-enhancing investments in the apartment.
Such an increased initial rent is often abusive. It is also possible that, for example, your "pre-previous tenants" have already paid too much and have not taken care of checking the initial rent or reductions due to decreased reference interest rates.
Have the initial rent checked
The review of the initial rent is still possible even if the lease has already been signed.
«You can contest the initial rent up to 30 days after you receive the keys.»
And yes, it feels stupid to contest the lease you just signed. But that is the current legal situation, that we, as tenants, are "obliged" to do so.
For example, if you notice after a year that you may be paying too much, you can only contest the upcoming increases in the same contract.
Is your existing rent to be increased?
The landlord can only increase the rent under certain conditions. The increase in rent must not be abusive.
«Assuming the effective yield is 6.3%, every single penny of increase is prohibited.»
The entire increase can be declared null and void if the landlord's yield is too high. An indication of this is, for example, if your rent is among the top 10% compared to other apartments in your area.
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.