Mortgage reference interest rate falls to 1.5 per cent
Der hypothekarische Referenzzinssatz, der für die Mietzinsgestaltung in der Schweiz massgeblich ist, wurde auf 1,5 Prozent gesenkt. Diese Änderung hat direkte Auswirkungen auf Mietverhältnisse und bietet Mietenden die Möglichkeit, eine Mietzinsreduktion zu fordern. Ein kraftvoller und zukunftsorientierter Blick auf die Entwicklungen im Immobilienmarkt.
The mortgage reference interest rate was set at 1.5 per cent, which corresponds to a reduction of 0.25 percentage points compared to the last published rate. This change is based on the volume-weighted average interest rate for domestic mortgage receivables, which fell from 1.63% to 1.53% as at 31 December 2024. The new reference interest rate will apply from 4 March 2025 and will remain in place until the average interest rate falls below 1.38% or rises above 1.62%.
Effects on tenancies
The reduction in the reference interest rate by 0.25 percentage points can mean a reduction of up to 2.91 per cent for tenants, provided the previous rent was based on a reference interest rate of 1.75 per cent. If the reference interest rate is higher than 1.75 per cent, the rent reduction is correspondingly greater.
If the previous rent is already based on a reference interest rate of 1.5 per cent, there is no entitlement to an adjustment. If the reference interest rate is 1.25 per cent, the landlord’s entitlement to an increase is generally reduced to 3 per cent.
Exceptions and additional factors
Tenancy agreements with indexed or staggered rents and turnover rents for commercial premises are exempt from these regulations. Special regulations may also apply to subsidised flats.
In addition to the reference interest rate, other factors such as changes in the national consumer price index (inflation) and changes in maintenance and operating costs can influence the rent structure. These factors may have to be included in the calculation.
Quarterly adjustment
The mortgage reference interest rate is announced quarterly by the Federal Housing Office (BWO) and published on the www.referenzzinssatz.admin.ch website. The next announcement is scheduled for 2 June 2025.
This article provides a comprehensive and forward-looking overview of the effects of the reduction in the mortgage reference interest rate on tenancies in Switzerland.