Zurich real estate agency uses ‘perverse’ methods to gauge tenants’ rent expectations
Whenever new apartments become available in Zurich, the number of candidates wishing to rent them typically outstrips the supply.
Therefore, landlords can cherry-pick among the applicants.
From 2026, nearly 100 newly-built units will be up for rent, relieving, even if slightly, the chronic housing shortage that has been plaguing the city for several years.
However, instead of announcing what the rental price of the units will be, the real estate agency responsible for the development of this new project is telling all interested parties to propose a price themselves.
Peter Nideröst, a lawyer specialising in rental law, said that “such an 'auction' of rental apartments perverts the already out-of-control housing market in Zurich" because it enables the agency to pick the candidates who are willing to pay the highest price — a charge that the agency denies.
These are the most-often Google-reviewed destinations in Switzerland
To mark its 20th anniversary, Google Maps revealed on Thursday the ranking of the most highly reviewed Swiss locations.
Leading the chart are Aare Gorge, followed by Trummelbach Falls,Jungfrauoch, and Saint Beatus caves, — all located in the Bernese Oberland.
Also frequently reviewed by Google users are Piazza Grande in Locarno (Ticino), Lindenhof (Zurich), Floral Clock (Geneva), Titus Cliff Walk (Bern), and Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen).
Ahead this weekend:
Switzerland votes
In the first round of national referendums scheduled for 2025, Swiss citizens will decide on September 9th on the so-called ‘Environmental Responsibility Initiative.’
Launched by environmental groups, animal rights activists, and the political left, the proposal requires that economic activities do not consume more resources and release more pollutants into the environment than is allowed for the preservation of natural resources.
Some referendums will also take place on a local level.
Foremost among them will be in Basel-Country and Solothurn — voters in both cantons will decide whether to accept the minimum hourly wage of 22 and 23 francs, respectively.
READ ALSO: What's at stake in Switzerland's referendums this Sunday?
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