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HOUSING

Airbnb ‘takes homes off Geneva market for locals’

Owners of multiple properties in the Geneva area — in one case as many as 120 apartments — are renting them on a permanent basis to visitors through the Airbnb website, according to a report.

Published: 11 November 2014 08:04 CET
Airbnb 'takes homes off Geneva market for locals'
Photo: Allianz

Le Temps newspaper said on Monday that around 2,000 homes were being rented through the website, launched in San Francisco and now advertising “places to stay from local hosts in 190 countries”.

The newspaper points out though that while Geneva is facing a housing crisis, with an official vacancy rate of close to zero and apartments virtually impossible to find for newcomers to the city, hundreds of units have been taking out of regular housing stock for short-term vacation rentals through Airbnb.

Other European cities, such as Paris and Berlin, as well as those in the US, have taken action through taxes and regulation to discourage owners of multiple properties from renting for short periods to tourists.

But so far the canton of Geneva has not taken any such measures.

Le Temps uncovered the case of a woman who is managing 120 apartments, including 39 overlooking Lake Geneva, which are being rented out on a short-term basis through Airbnb.

The daily cites a man living in the Pâquis neighbourhood of Geneva who admitted to subletting his three-room apartment on weekends for 90 francs a night through the site to help pay for his rent.

The newspapers talked to another man who manages 16 apartments that are rented on a short-term basis via Airbnb to expats working short stints for multinational companies.

It also interviewed a tenant, identified as Laurent, who sublets his apartment in Geneva’s Old Town for half a year through the website, while he travels, charging 100 francs a night.

“It made me heart broken that it (the apartment) was unoccupied,” Laurent is quoted as saying.

“As well, I have already been broken into and I know there is more chance of that happening again if I leave the apartment empty.”

See also: TWO THIRDS OF BERLIN'S TOURIST FLATS NOW ILLEGAL

Le Temps said Laurent and others use pseudonyms and false photos on the Airbnb site because they do not have approval from their landlords to sublet in this way.

And the newspaper reported that some individuals manage to sublet numerous apartments.

One woman who rents out her apartment through Airbnb said it offers the advantages of flexibility because no lease is required and so if she need to use the apartment she can quickly take possession without a notice period.

Airbnb is one of several competing websites offering similar home rental booking services, including such rivals as Housetrip and Wimdu, although it has the highest profile.

Le Temps noted that other cities have taken various steps aimed at preventing property owners or renters from inappropriate use of the services.


Paris, for example, has decided to subject Airbnb to a daily tax (taxe de séjour) and also sends inspectors to ensure that apartments earmarked for rental by local residents are not used by tourists.

Madrid has imposed a minimum stay of five nights for homes advertised through the site and has required those who are renting out to register with the city.

Related: AIRBNB FINED €30,000 OVER 'ILLEGAL'APARTMENTS

Also check: AIRBNB USERS IN FRANCE TO PAY EXTRA TAX
 

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LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Checklist: What you need to do if you move house in Switzerland

Moving from one house or apartment in Switzerland to another is not as simple as just packing up your furniture. Instead, the process involves quite a few administrative tasks.

Published: 25 January 2024 12:10 CET
Checklist: What you need to do if you move house in Switzerland

Anyone who has ever moved, whether in Switzerland or elsewhere, knows it is not just a matter of simple logistics.

In fact, whether you are relocating to another town or canton, or just to another neighbourhood, moving is a big, expensive, time-consuming, and stressful experience.

These are various tasks you will have to cross off your list, one by one.

Getting your old apartment in order

It goes without saying that before you move out, you must make sure to leave the place clean and in order. Most people hire a cleaning company to do so, though you can, of course, do this yourself.

If, for instance, you broke or damaged anything while living in the apartment, you must repair it before you leave.

The condition of the apartment will be assessed during the final inspection process, when the landlord or the management company will write down all damages which you are responsible for either repairing yourself or paying someone else to do it for you.

You are not officially off the hook with your previous landlord until this process is completed.

De-register your old address and register the new one

Whether you are moving across the country or just across the street, this is an obligatory step.

You must let your ‘old’ commune’s population office (Einwohnerkontrolle / Contrôle des habitants/ Controllo abitanti) know you are leaving, and from which date.

You can do so either in person or (if available) online.

Then, when you settle in a new home, you have 14 days to announce your arrival in your new municipality, though in some places the deadline may be longer.

You will need the following documents:

  • A passport or ID card for each member of the family, in addition to a passport-sized photo for everyone
  • Documents relating to your family status — whether you are single, married, and with children
  • Your work or residency permit 
  • Your lease contract or proof of home ownership
  • Your health insurance card or proof of your current health insurance policy.

The rules are the same regardless of where you arrive from, that is, if you are Swiss, an EU citizen or from a third country, however the supporting documentation may vary. 

Some cantons may require other or additional documents, which you can find out ahead of time on your commune or canton’s website.

READ ALSO: Why you need to tell Swiss authorities where you live 

Inform the post office about your change of address

To ensure that your mail arrives at your new home, fill out the ‘change of address’ form online at least four days before your move. 

Four days is a minimum required time for the post office to process the address change and register it in the electronic database.

If you wait longer, your mail will continue to be delivered to  the old address.

You also should notify these companies of your move and new address:

  • Your mobile telephone / internet provider (if you still have a fixed phone, you should have it switched off at the old address and re-activated at the new one)
  • Your bank
  • Your insurance companies (health, car, and any other ones you have, both mandatory and optional)
  • Your doctor / dentist

If you forget to inform anyone of your new address, no worries — the post office will automatically forward the letters to you, provided your notified them of the change (see above).

What about the tax office?

You don’t have to do a thing.

Your local commune will automatically inform tax authorities of your move, so there is no chance whatsoever that they won’t find you.

Rental versus owned property

If you move into a rental property, you don’t need to, in most cases, notify utility providers like the electric company of your move.

But if you are going to live in your own house, then you must let the local power company know to switch on your electricity supply.
 

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